NewsBrewers' rotation remains in flux
Milwaukee (42-38) at Chicago (39-38), 12:05 p.m. CT
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com
07/03/09 9:35 PM ET
CHICAGO -- Braden Looper has been a relative workhorse for the Brewers this season, pitching at least six innings in 11 of his 16 starts, including eight of his past 10 and each of his past two. He'll look to continue the trend in an Independence Day start against the Cubs on Saturday. At least one spot in the Brewers' starting rotation isn't so secure. Manager Ken Macha was still fuzzy on Friday about what he'll do when Seth McClung's turn comes up next. Macha has said he'll use Monday's off-day to push that spot from Wednesday to Saturday. Who will take that turn in the rotation? "I couldn't tell you who is," Macha said. "It will be 'TBA,' and we'll try to figure something out." Manny Parra, demoted to the Minors last month, made his fourth Triple-A start on Friday and could be an option, though Brewers officials have said they would prefer to leave him at Nashville. When he met with reporters on Friday, Macha still wouldn't rule out McClung, a day after the right-hander surrendered seven runs in 3 1/3 innings. But a more likely scenario could involve general manager Doug Melvin making a trade for a mid-level veteran such the D-backs' Doug Davis. The Brewers' top scout watched Davis pitch on Thursday. "I haven't ruled anybody out," Macha said. "We're going to explore all our options. [McClung] could have made our decision a lot easier." Macha did rule out Dave Bush, who has been on the disabled list with microtears in his right triceps and is eligible to return Monday. Bush threw from 120 feet in the Wrigley Field outfield on Friday morning, then came back in and "pitched" to bullpen coach Stan Kyles on flat ground. The plan, according to Macha, is that Bush will continue working toward a Minor League rehabilitation appearance for Double-A Huntsville on July 15 at Mississippi. If that goes well, Bush would return to the Brewers for their July 20-22 series in Pittsburgh. "I'm trying to find the delicate balance between letting it rest and also finding out how it feels," Bush said. "I have to use a certain amount of effort to determine just to see if I feel good enough. I moved a little further back today and put a little more effort into it. I feel good." Bush is on the disabled list for the first time in his career. Before his current injury, caused by a Hanley Ramirez line drive that struck his arm on June 4 in Florida, Bush had never missed a single outing. "I'm starting to get a little anxious," he said. "It feels a little like Spring Training." Pitching matchupMIL: RHP Braden Looper (6-4, 4.90 ERA)
Looper pitched into the seventh inning on Monday to beat the Mets for his first win in exactly one month. He showed no ill effects from the line drive off the back of his right upper arm in his previous outing, limiting the Mets to three runs -- two were unearned, with the other scoring after he gave way to the bullpen -- and seven hits. Looper took a no-decision in his only previous start against the Cubs this season, a five-inning, one-run performance in the Brewers' April 10 home opener. It was Looper's Brewers debut. CHC: RHP Rich Harden (5-4, 4.57 ERA)
Harden's changeup helped him dominate in his last start. Despite giving up nine hits, Harden struck out nine and gave up just one run for his first win since May 12. The right-hander has struggled at Wrigley Field this season, going 2-3 with a 6.31 ERA in seven starts. Harden got a no-decision in his only previous start against the Brewers this season, giving up one earned run in six innings in his first outing of the season. He struck out a season-high 10 batters in that one. Harden is 1-0 against Milwaukee in his career, with a 1.50 ERA over three starts. Tidbits
Catcher Jason Kendall batted leadoff on Friday for the third time this season. ... As part of Major League Baseball's "Welcome Back Veterans" initiative, the Brewers and Cubs will wear red caps throughout the Independence Day weekend. The caps feature each team's logo in red, white and blue colors, and they are available for sale on Brewers.com. ... Minor League right-hander Pedro Lamertus notched the save for rookie-level Arizona on Thursday in his first appearance since serving a 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Lambertus, who turned 21 in June, started the year at Class A Wisconsin before his positive test for metabolites of Boldenone, a steroid. ... Outfield prospect Lorenzo Cain finished a rehabilitation stint in Arizona for a knee injury and was promoted to Class A Wisconsin. He was to be in uniform for Friday's game against Clinton. The Brewers also activated right-hander Nick Green, who was scheduled to start for Double-A Huntsville on Friday night at Tennessee. Green had been sidelined by soreness behind his right shoulder. ... Hollywood power broker Richard Lovett, head of Creative Artists Agency, visited with the team prior to the start of the series. Lovett, a Milwaukee native and a Brewers fan, chatted with general manager Doug Melvin and with left fielder Ryan Braun, a client of CAA's sports division. ... La Crosse, Wis., native Mike Haupert received one of the 2009 Yoseloff-SABR Baseball Research Grants, the organization announced earlier this week. These awards are designed to assist SABR members in conducting baseball research that is later published by SABR. Haupert, 48, intends to examine the determinants of wages in professional baseball for both men and women. Tickets
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• Sunday: Brewers (Mike Burns, 1-1, 3.31) at Cubs (Ted Lilly, 7-6, 3.35), 1:20 p.m. CT
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Brewers (Yovani Gallardo, 8-5, 2.75) vs. Cardinals (Adam Wainwright, 8-5, 3.32), 7:05 p.m. CT
Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
