Ro Mueller

- LHP Bennett Sousa acquired from Reds for cash and international bonus money, then assigned to AAA Nashville - RHP Tyler Herb placed on AAA Nashville’s 7-day injured list - RHP Luis Contreras activated by AAA Nashville from Development List

RHP Jake Cousins activated from AAA Nashville's 7-day injured list RHP Luis Contreras transferred to Development List from AAA Nashville RHP Mario Perez released by ACL Brewers Blue C Jose Sibrian transferred to Development List from High-A Wisconsin RHP Ryne Moore placed on High-A Wisconsin's 60-day injured list LHP Brian Fitzpatrick placed on Low-A Carolina's 60-day injured list LHP Pablo Garabitos placed on Low-A Carolina's 60-day injured list RHP Arielbi Gonzalez placed on Low-A Carolina's 60-day injured list RHP Delson Guzman placed on Low-A Carolina's 60-day injured list RHP Rosmel Reyes placed on Low-A Carolina's 60-day injured list INF Alberis Ferrer placed on Low-A Carolina's 60-day injured list LHP Josh Shapiro placed on Low-A Carolina's full season injured list

To comply with maximum roster limits, it looks like C Jose Sibrian was likely moved to the Development List, since he’s absent from yesterday’s Game Notes: https://img.mlbstatic.com/milb-images/image/upload/fl_attachment/milb/nwmrnlwq5lu5wgesvuae.pdf

Based on this updated roster announcement, it’s likely that RHPs Jacob Misiorowski and Alexander Vallecillo have been placed on the Development List (e.g. to comply with max roster limits). Details to follow. https://mailchi.mp/carolinamudcats.com/rosterupdate-1543317

We can never have enough Timber Rattlers' season previews:

It was a bad day to be a Brewers’ 21-year old, right-handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic who had not yet made a stateside debut, as all four released players fit this profile, including two who had ERAs below 3.00 last season. Good luck to each of these young men as they seek their next opportunity, whether in baseball or elsewhere: Jeral Vizcaino – An international free agent signing in June 2022, Vizcaino was dominant in 2.5 months of DSL game action: 1.46 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 9.2 K/9, .191 AVG against, 38 K/13 BB in 37 IP (5 starts in 12 games). While he was 1.4 years older than his average competition, this hardly seems enough of a reason to release him at this time. Perhaps there are other circumstances (health, family, career choices, etc.) that we’re not privy to. Nelson Cuevas – The Brewers signed Cuevas in April 2019. Working purely as a reliever, he produced a 2.79 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 9.3 K/9 in 48 1/3 IP over his past two campaigns in the DSL, unfortunately not quite earning the call state-side. Gregory Baez – Signed in May 2021, Baez worked in relief in the DSL, stacking up an impressive strikeout tally this past season (36 Ks in 25.2 IP). However, Gregory’s ERA (5.61) and WHIP (1.68) in 2022 were not as encouraging. Waldin Rodriguez – Signed in January 2021, Rodriguez registered a 5.79 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 9.2 K/9 last season in DSL relief work, winning three games and earning three saves.

Here’s the lineup for tonight’s exhibition game against Pearl River Community College:

RHP Jeral Vizcaino released by DSL Brewers-2 - shocker, given 1.46 ERA in 37 IP last year. But I guess he's 21 years old already and there are perhaps other details which we don't know RHP Gregory Baez released by DSL Brewers-1 RHP Nelson Cuevas released by DSL Brewers-2 RHP Waldin Rodriguez released by DSL Brewers-2

Experimenting in the Southern League: https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-to-test-a-new-enhanced-grip-baseball-in-the-southern-league-in-2023-011149254.html

Agreed. Let’s get the calls right and then let the players play.

Manager Victor Estevez once again has a number of young players on his roster, 17 of which aren't yet of legal drinking age. Here's the roster based on their Opening Day (April 7, 2023) ages: 24 - Nick Merkel, Jakob Brustoski 23 - Tanner Shears, Nate Peterson, Shane Smith 22 - Chase Costello, Tyler Wehrle, Aidan Maldonado, Miguel Guerrero, Jeferson Figueroa, Matthew Wood, Fernando Olguin 21 - Eduarqui Fernandez, Edwin Jimenez, Jacob Misiorowski 20 - Kay-Lan Nicasia, Jhonnys Cabrera, Alexander Vallecillo, Jesus Parra, Quinton Low, Jeison Pena, Tayden Hall, Blayberg Diaz, Hedbert Perez 19 - Patricio Aquino, Jheremy Vargas, Jace Avina, Yujanyer Herrera, Daniel Guilarte, Jadher Areinamo 18 - Gregory Barrios, Luke Adams

It looks like Manager Joe Ayrault will have a rather experienced roster, bolstered in part by a number of respectable players who find themselves repeating in High-A. I'll break down players on the roster by age: 25 - Kaleb "Bo" Bowman, Joey Matulovich, Taylor Floyd, Justin King 24 - Brannon Jordan, Luis Amaya, Russell Smith, Jose Sibrian, Ryan Brady 23 - Max Lazar, Alex Hall, Ernesto Martinez, Ben Metzinger, Karlos Morales, Je'Von Ward, Tyler Woessner, Joe Gray Jr., Jose Acosta 22 - Joseph Hernandez, Micah Bello, Michele Vassalotti, Terence Doston, Eric Brown Jr., Darrien Miller 21 - Cameron Wagoner, Jesus Chirinos, Alexander Cornielle, Stiven Cruz, Robert Moore 20 - Eduardo Garcia 19 - Hendry Mendez

That's too bad to hear about Arielbi Gonzalez, who remarkably and deservedly made it from mid-season international free agent signing (June 2021) to Low-A ball in under 15 months. Wishing a full recovery for the 20-year old

Promoted to Low-A Carolina from ACL Brewers Blue: RHP/1B Quinton Low, INF Daniel Guilarte, LHP Nate Peterson (2022 draft pick making debut), RHP Nick Merkel, C Jhonnys Cabrera, C Matthew Wood Promoted to Low-A Carolina from ACL Brewers Gold: OF/INF Kay-Lan Nicasia, C Blayberg Diaz, 3B Luke Adams, RHP Patricio Aquino, INF Gregory Barrios, LHP Jakob Brustoski, RHP Aidan Maldonado (2022 draft pick making debut), 1B/3B Jesus Parra, RHP Tyler Wehrle, RHP Shane Smith Assigned to Low-A Carolina from High-A Wisconsin: RHP Miguel Guerrero, 1B/C Tayden Hall Assigned to Low-A Carolina: RHP Tanner Shears (independent league signing), RHP Chase Costello (independent league signing) Promoted to High-A Wisconsin from ACL Brewers Blue: RHP Ryan Brady Promoted to High-A Wisconsin from Low-A Carolina: INF Eric Brown Jr., INF Robert Moore, RHP Cameron Wagoner, C Jose Sibrian, 1B Jesus Chirinos, C Alex Hall, OF Hendry Mendez, RHP Michele Vassalotti, RHP Tyler Woessner, RHP Max Lazar Assigned to High-A Wisconsin from AA Biloxi: OF Terence Doston, RHP Taylor Floyd Assigned to High-A Wisconsin: OF Je’Von Ward (injured since August 2021; last played in High-A), LHP Luis Amaya (MILB free agent signing; last played in High-A), RHP Joseph Hernandez (acquired in Justin Topa trade; last played in Low-A), RHP Kaleb Bowman (independent league signing) Promoted to AA Biloxi from High-A Wisconsin: C Jeferson Quero, INF/OF Tyler Black, OF Carlos D. Rodriguez, RHP Carlos F. Rodriguez Assigned to AA Biloxi: LHP Adam Seminaris (acquired in Hunter Renfroe trade; last played in AAA), RHP Tobias Myers (MILB free agent signing; last played in AAA), RHP Justin Yeager (acquired in Esteury Ruiz trade; last played in AA), INF Isaac Collins (selected in MILB portion of Rule 5 Draft; last played in AA), RHP Christian Mejias (MILB free agent signing; last played in High-A), OF Lamar Sparks (independent league signing), LHP Darrell Thompson (independent league signing)

I was worried about Small’s 13.50 ERA in spring training, but maybe he was just pulling a Lauer. If he’s accepted the shift to the pen and concentrates on perfecting his best pitches, he could end up being the fireball lefty that our MLB bullpen presently lacks, thus allowing Ashby to focus on starting and long relief. Wins all around. Let’s hope he keeps it up!

Janson Junk had an effective first start, but a quiet offense and leaky defense cost Nashville in Sunday’s defeat. The only Sunday Game Balls that I can accord go to Jason Junk (5 strikeouts and 1 run in 5 innings) and his batterymate Brian Navarreto (1-for-4, RBI; threw out both attempted base-stealers), who put the club in a position to win. Transactions (yeah, there are a few, as AA Biloxi, High-A Wisconsin and Low-A Carolina each announced their season-opening rosters): Assigned to Low-A Carolina: RHP/1B Quinton Low, INF Daniel Guilarte, LHP Nate Peterson, RHP Nick Merkel, C Jhonnys Cabrera, C Matthew Wood, OF/INF Kay-Lan Nicasia, C Blayberg Diaz, 3B Luke Adams, RHP Patricio Aquino, INF Gregory Barrios, LHP Jakob Brustoski, RHP Aidan Maldonado, 1B/3B Jesus Parra, RHP Tyler Wehrle, RHP Miguel Guerrero, RHP Tanner Shears, RHP Shane Smith, RHP Chase Costello, 1B/C Tayden Hall Assigned to High-A Wisconsin: OF Terence Doston, LHP Luis Amaya, RHP Taylor Floyd, RHP Tyler Woessner, RHP Michele Vassalotti, INF Eric Brown Jr., INF Robert Moore, 1B Jesus Chirinos, RHP Cameron Wagoner, C Jose Sibrian, OF Hendry Mendez, RHP Max Lazar, OF Je’Von Ward, RHP Joseph Hernandez, RHP Kaleb Bowman, RHP Ryan Brady, C Alex Hall Assigned to Double-A Biloxi: C Jeferson Quero, INF/OF Tyler Black, OF Carlos D. Rodríguez, INF/OF Isaac Collins, OF Lamar Sparks, RHP Carlos F. Rodríguez, LHP Adam Seminaris, RHP Tobias Myers, RHP Justin Yeager, RHP Christian Mejias, LHP Darrell Thompson Game Action: Final: Louisville 5, Nashville 2 (final in 10 innings) Box Score / Game Log Via the Sounds’ website, game details, and we encourage readers to review the affiliate write-up as part of their Link Report routine: Sounds Fall to Bats in Third Straight Extra-Inning Contest Looking for a season-opening three-game series sweep, Nashville grabbed a 2-0 lead against old friend Chase Anderson in the 2nd inning, as four straight batters reached with two outs: Designated hitter Payton Henry singled; second baseman Eddy Alvarez walked; shortstop Andruw Monasterio cracked an RBI single; and Navaretto added another. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to the 7,134 fans in attendance, those would be the only Sounds runs to cross the plate on this day. The Bats clawed a run back with a two-out walk and RBI double in the 4th inning, then tied the game at 2-2 in the 6th inning via a Joey Votto single and a Nick Martini RBI double off left-handed reliever Clayton Andrews. In the bottom of the 6th inning, first baseman Jon Singleton doubled with one out and moved to third base on a wild pitch, but the significant opportunity was squandered by a Skye Bolt pop-up and a Henry groundout. Singleton’s double was the last Nashville hit of the game. A similarly frustrating scenario followed in the 7th inning, as a leadoff hit-by-pitch and walk went for naught due to a Navaretto strikeout and a Sal Frelick lineout double play. This was part of a rare 0-for-4 day for Frelick, though he still managed to extend his regular season on-base streak to 44 games with a 5th inning walk, before being caught stealing. In reality, the game became a battle of bullpens, with Louisville being just a touch better. Bats’ relievers held the Sounds scoreless over five innings, while Louisville eventually got through against RHP J.C. Mejia and the Nashville defense in the top of the 10th inning. Cam Robinson, Ethan Small and Mejia had combined on three scoreless innings, before Mejia went back out to try his luck on a second inning. In that fateful 10th, a playable ground ball (ruled a single) got through Monasterio, before Mejia walked two straight batters (the second walk plating a run) in a failed attempt to get the home plate umpire to consistently call low strikes. A second ground ball made it through the Sounds’ defense (an error on Singleton) to score two more runs, before Alex Claudio came in to maintain a respectable final score by retiring the final two batters via groundout. Three Quick Strikes: With the injuries to Adrian Houser, Aaron Ashby and Jason Alexander, Janson Junk finds himself as the sixth or seventh MLB starter in the organization (alongside Bryse Wilson), so this terrific opening effort (5 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K) has to give him and Brewers’ brass some confidence. He even retired rehabbing MLB veteran Joey Votto via infield pop-out and full-count strikeout. Clean-up required: Six errors through three games is not the way to get the job done, perhaps highlighting the injury-related absences of infielders Cam Devanney and Josh VanMeter. Let’s hope that Monasterio and Alvarez, in particular, can find a solid groove manning the middle infield until their teammates return (hopefully soon!). Ordered from above?: Seeing catchers Henry, Navaretto and Alex Jackson as designated hitters in each of the first three games (ahead of the likes of Singleton, Hiura or Tyler Naquin) seems likely to stem from an intentional effort to maximize batting opportunities for catchers, in case any is called to the majors on short notice. This week’s outlook: The Sounds (2-1 record) travel to Memphis (1-2 record) for a six-game series which commences on Tuesday, with RHP Robert Stock expected to make his Nashville debut. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report! Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View full article

Absent players of note: OF Luis Castillo - we'd noted his absence from spring training lineup cards RHP Arielbi Gonzalez - this is troublesome for a solid starting pitcher LHP Brian Fitzpatrick - a 10th round pick last year RHP Yerlin Rodriguez RHP Brailin Rodriguez RHP Miguel Segura

Absent players of note: RHP Logan Henderson - didn't show up on any of the spring training lineup cards, but I was hoping that we were just being careful with him LHP Pablo Garabitos - also didn't show up on the spring training lineup cards, which was quite troubling for a solid reliever OF Arbert Cipion - same story RHP Ryne Moore - ARobsBrewCrew had earlier posted that Moore is working back from Tommy John surgery

RHP Abner Uribe is conspicuously absent, but he and RHP Darrell Thompson show up on a separate graphic published by @BrewersPD, so let's not fret. RHP Justin Bullock is also missing, but he's likely still recovering or building back strength from a late 2022 injury.

Wisconsin announces a 31-man Opening Day roster, with 16 pitchers and 15 position players: PITCHERS (16): Luis Amaya, Bo Bowman, Ryan Brady, Alexander Cornielle, Stiven Cruz, Taylor Floyd, Joseph Hernandez, Brannon Jordan, Justin King, Max Lazar, Joey Matulovich, Karlos Morales, Russell Smith, Michele Vassalotti, Cam Wagoner, Tyler Woessner CATCHERS (3): Alex Hall, Darrien Miller, Jose Sibrian INFIELDERS (7): Jose Acosta, Eric Brown, Jr, Jesús Chirinos, Eduardo García, Ernesto Martínez, Jr, Ben Metzinger, Robert Moore OUTFIELDERS (5): Micah Bello, Terence Doston, Joe Gray Jr, Hendry Mendez, Je’Von Ward

Biloxi announces a 29-man Opening Day roster, with 14 pitchers and 15 position players, while a separate graphic published by @BrewersPD has 31 players inclusive of RHPs Abner Uribe and Darrell Thompson:

We've got a 32-man Carolina Mudcats' Opening Day roster, with 17 pitchers, 14 position players and one 2-way player:

- RHP Rafael Garcia placed on Low-A Carolina full season injured list - RHP Fray Morelo placed on Low-A Carolina full season injured list

- OF Joey Wiemer’s contract selected by MLB Brewers from AAA Nashville (INF Luis Urias placed on 10-day MLB injured list; LHP Justin Wilson transferred to 60-day MLB injured list)