Counsell sets rotation; Peralta to start Brewers opener
Manager Craig Counsell tabbed Wily Peralta as the Opening Day starter for the Milwaukee Brewers, and it has nothing to do with how the pitcher performed in 2015.
"It's an honor, it's a dream come true," Peralta said. "Every starting pitcher dreams to start Opening Day. I'm excited, I can't wait."
Counsell said an injury sidetracked Peralta last season and he thinks the starter is "really primed and in a sweet spot to get back to that level" in which he performed in 2014. Peralta was 17-11 that season with a 3.53 ERA, 1.304 WHIP, 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings and 2.52 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
However, he made just 20 starts in 2015, going 5-10 with a 4.84 ERA, 1.537 WHIP with just 5.0 K/9 and a 1.62 K-to-BB ratio. Peralta was on the disabled list for part of the season and ended the year on the DL due to a left oblique injury.
"I don't think the oblique ever got to the point where he was healthy. I don't think he ever really got fully back from it," Counsell said.
The announcement of Peralta to start the opener might be considered a surprise based on how he's pitched thus far in spring training. In 10 innings, Peralta has allowed 19 runs (13 earned) on 23 hits -- including three home runs. He's walked just three and struck out six.
"The results haven't been good," Counsell admitted, before adding, "In the Dodgers start (March 14), I saw the Wily Peralta start I wanted to see, so I know it's there."
For his part, Peralta is ready to shake off any doubts about his abilities on the mound when healthy..
"They know what I can do when I'm healthy, Peralta said. "My goal this year is to be healthy. Last year was a tough season."
The Brewers and Peralta open the season at Miller Park on April 4 against Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants.
Following Peralta in the rotation against the Giants in the three-game series will be Jimmy Nelson and Matt Garza. Taylor Jungmann and Chase Anderson will round out the all-right-handed five-man staff.
The rotation was never really in doubt, just the order. Those five started every spring training game for Milwaukee entering Monday but one. Zach Davies, who was assigned to minor-league camp Saturday, started the other.
