Jim Goulart

All four winter leagues are idle for Christmas Eve. *** The Mexican League actually has a full slate on Christmas, so we may sneak in a Manny Barreda relief appearance Thursday. *** The Dominican League's regular season completed on Sunday. Four of the six teams qualify for the postseason round-robin tournament. Players on teams that did qualify for the postseason -- RHP Wirfin Obispo, IF's Hector Gomez, Luis Jimenez, Elian Herrera Missing out -- LHP Nick Additon (solid over six games, four of them starts), 1B Hunter Morris (stay was brief) and OF Jose Pena (who just started playing) The top four teams engage in a round-robin schedule with 18 games per team from the end of December to the end of January; the top two teams in those standings then play a best-of-nine series for the national title.

So yes, Joshua Torres' three outings in four days only added up to five outs and seven batters faced. But if we think about it, the 2014 Arizona Rookie League ERA leader would have never appeared in a 3rd game in four days if he were pitching in Maryvale or Helena, and to be honest, probably Wisconsin as well (we'll have to have Chris Mehring research that one for us ). It's one thing if it's a veteran player in a winter league, but with a kid like Torres, there need to be some pre-set conditions in place (parental controls -- the Brewers are the dad, and the management team in San Juan is the remote control pre-set). I don't think I'm over-reacting on this.

Puerto Rico Box Score Surely just what the managers and pitching coaches wanted to see -- after playing a seven-inning opener (detailed above), SS Yadiel Rivera and C Juan Centeno (who once again DH'd) played a 14-inning nightcap, with Centeno's club winning 3-2 to split the doubleheader. Rivera singled in six trips, but also struck out four times. Strikeouts have not been a huge issue, now with 22 in 110 winter AB's, slightly better than his 2014 regular season rate. Centeno also went 1-for-6, which actually lifted his winter average to .121. San Juan Bottom of the 5th Juan Centeno singles on a ground ball to center fielder Reymond Fuentes. Found a hole, baby!

VIDEO via MLB.com (12/16):Jonathan Lucroy calls in to MLB Now to discuss the Brewers' 2014 season, the wear and tear of catching, expectations for next year and more

Puerto Rico Box Score Catcher Martin Maldonado threw out the one baserunner attempting to steal (of course), and at the plate was 1-for-2 with a walk and a sacrifice bunt.

Puerto Rico Box Score In the first game of a doubleheader (seven innings), three Brewers took part -- SS Yadiel Rivera went 1-for-3 as his team won, 3-1 Juan Centeno, pinch-hitting, grounded out to drop his average to .117 (7-for-60). He's 0-for-29 and last got a hit on November 16th. Do the Brewers want 20-year-old RHP Joshua Torres making three appearances in four days? Pick up the phone, guys. Santurce Top of the 7th Juan Centeno remains in the game as the catcher. Pitching Change: Joshua Torres replaces Miguel Martinez. A. J. Jimenez walks. Yadiel Rivera singles on a line drive to left fielder Brahiam Maldonado. A. J. Jimenez to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Reymond Fuentes replaces Luis Rivera. Reymond Fuentes out on a sacrifice bunt to first baseman Rene Rivera. A. J. Jimenez to 3rd. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd. Jonathan Rodriguez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Joseph Dunigan. A. Jimenez scores. Ismael Salgado grounds out, second baseman Ivan De Jesus to first baseman Rene Rivera.

AUDIO 12/22: Mike Fiers on 105.7 WSSP's Rupena Hot Stove Weekly Show AUDIO 12/22: Here's the entire show, including the Fiers interview

Haudricourt with front office quotes answering some of your questions above -- LINK

Text from a recent post via Bleed Cubbie Blue -- "He has just seven major-league at-bats, all in 2013, playing a pair of games at first base for Oakland. Last season at Triple-A Sacramento, he hit .308/.381/.460 with 40 doubles and 11 home runs. His lifetime minor-league OBP is .376, so that's obviously appealing to this front office."

Shane Peterson has one minor league option remaining. Don't confuse him with newly-signed OF Bryan Petersen, who was written about by Adam McCalvy here.

MiLB.com Player Page LH bat turns 27 in February, also with experience at 1B, but at 6'0", 210, and with OF experience in all three spots, Brewers listed OF as his position when announcing the claim Baseball Reference Page (Minors) - Also has two games of big league time with A's in 2013 July 24, 2009: Traded by the St. Louis Cardinals with Clayton Mortensen and Brett Wallace to the Oakland Athletics for Matt Holliday. Extensive set of game highlights via MiLB.com 40-man roster is now full Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2nd round of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft from California State University Long Beach (Long Beach, CA). Rotoworld history

One word, Josh. Awesome. And a Brewers affiliate to boot...

Puerto Rico Box Score SS Yadiel Rivera played third base, 1-for-3, walk, run scored (solid .673 OPS in 101 winter AB's) *** Puerto Rico Box Score Juan Centeno's winter has become sad. The catcher, DH'ing in this one (again, weak bench, apparently), is now 7-for-59 (.375 OPS) after an 0-for-4 performance.

Catching up from Sunday (other Sunday updates in the posts above), there was one debut that was overlooked during the overnight -- 21-year-old (22 in March) corner outfielder Jose Pena played left field and batted 3rd for the Licey squad, going 1-for-4 in an 8-3 loss. The 2014 Timber Rattler posted a disappointing .640 OPS in 398 AB's in his first taste above rookie ball after four seasons at the combined Dominican Summer League / Maryvale / Helena rookie levels. As you'll see by reviewing Pena's player page link, his OPS numbers had been promising prior in 2012-2013. Pena was considered a bargain at a still-significant $400,000 signing bonus in July 2009. He began his pro career in 2010. Dominican Box Score

Dominican Box Score Luis Jimenez 0-for-3, walk, K, run scored, played first base

Venezuela Box Score SS Orlando Arcia continues to bat 9th of late, but he was 0-for-4 in his team's 10-9 loss. After 205 winter at-bats, his various sample sizes are large enough to view at his player page link.

Puerto Rico Box Score Juan Centeno (.127) fanned as a pinch-hitter (thin bench, apparently). Brief outings on consecutive days for 20-year-old RHP Joshua Torres -- Mayaguez Top of the 6th Luis Figueroa flies out to left fielder Marcos Derkes. Johan Limonta singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jon Garcia. Yovan Gonzalez singles on a fly ball to left fielder Marcos Derkes. Johan Limonta to 2nd. Kyle Johnson flies out to right fielder Jon Garcia. Pitching Change: Joshua Torres replaces Miguel Martinez. With Jacob Cordero batting, wild pitch by Joshua Torres, Johan Limonta to 3rd. Jacob Cordero flies out to right fielder Jon Garcia. Mayaguez Top of the 7th Jesmuel Valentin strikes out swinging. Pitching Change: Luis Ramos replaces Joshua Torres. Daniel Ortiz doubles (12) on a fly ball to left fielder Marcos Derkes. Kennys Vargas grounds out, shortstop Edwin Diaz to first baseman Rene Rivera. Randy Ruiz singles on a ground ball to pitcher Luis Ramos. Daniel Ortiz to 3rd. Luis Figueroa pops out to shortstop Edwin Diaz.

Mexico Box Score Obregon Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Manny Barreda replaces Hector Daniel Rodriguez. Esteban Quiroz strikes out swinging. Armando Araiza flies out to left fielder Maxwell Leon. Daniel Castro grounds out, shortstop Issmael Salas to first baseman Russell Branyan. Low pressure, team lost, 6-2...

Puerto Rico Box Score Catcher Juan Centeno's average drops to .130 (7-for-54), 0-for-3 with a walk here. He threw out 1-of-3 baserunners in an 8-3 loss, and wasn't happy in in the 9th -- San Juan Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Jon Velasquez replaces David Rollins. Juan Centeno grounds out, second baseman Jack Lopez to first baseman Neftali Soto. Senadores de San Juan catcher Juan Centeno ejected by HP umpire Charlie Rivera. Brahiam Maldonado strikes out swinging. Edwin Diaz strikes out swinging. Young RHP Joshua Torres stranded two of three inherited runners as he was asked to close out a seven-run 8th inning, throwing to Centeno. Pitching Change: Joshua Torres replaces Yhonathan Barrios. With Jack Lopez batting, wild pitch by Joshua Torres, Ismael Salgado scores. Wilfredo Rodriguez to 3rd. Reymond Fuentes to 2nd. Jack Lopez called out on strikes. Javier Baez grounds out, third baseman Ruben Gotay to first baseman Rene Rivera. On the winning side, Yadiel Rivera entered midway, played third base, and was 1-for-2 with an RBI and run scored.

Puerto Rico Box Score Martin Maldonado, playing first base, 0-for-3, walk, RBI groundout Maldy always feeling spry in his home country -- he shouldn't! Mayaguez Top of the 4th Martin Maldonado walks. With Roberto Perez batting, Martin Maldonado caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Roberto Pena to shortstop Luis Mateo to first baseman Trever Adams to second baseman Rey Navarro. Roberto Perez strikes out swinging. Luis Montanez singles on a line drive to right fielder Henry Ramos. Noel Cuevas strikes out swinging.

Dominican Box Score SS Hector Gomez had a nice game as his team rolled, 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, and stole his 2nd winter base (not a big part of his game)

Dominican Box Score Save some of that 1.66 ERA for the 2015 season, RHP Wirfin Obispo! Hold #14 in 24 appearances -- Licey Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Wirfin Obispo replaces Wander Perez. Domingo Santana flies out to center fielder Derrick Robinson. Todd Cunningham strikes out swinging. Carlos Triunfel flies out to left fielder Junior Lake.

Dominican Box Score Because he (still) isn't listed on his team's roster page, we thought LHP Nick Additon was done for the winter, maybe he should have been -- 3 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, GB:FB 4:1 Aguilas Top of the 1st Juan Perez doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Jimmy Paredes. Jonathan Villar flies out to left fielder Jimmy Paredes. Miguel Tejada hit by pitch. Manny Ramirez doubles (11) on a line drive to right fielder Franmil Reyes. Juan Perez scores. Miguel Tejada to 3rd. Zoilo Almonte singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Jimmy Paredes. Miguel Tejada scores. Manny Ramirez to 3rd. Jordy Lara grounds into a double play, shortstop Erik Gonzalez to second baseman Jorge Polanco to first baseman Brad Glenn. Zoilo Almonte out at 2nd. Aguilas Top of the 2nd Danny Richar grounds out, second baseman Jorge Polanco to first baseman Brad Glenn. Angel Franco strikes out swinging. Luis De La Cruz grounds out to first baseman Brad Glenn. Aguilas Top of the 3rd Juan Perez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Malquiel Brito. Jonathan Villar singles on a line drive to center fielder Malquiel Brito. Juan Perez to 3rd. Jonathan Villar to 2nd on the throw. Miguel Tejada strikes out swinging. Manny Ramirez grounds out, second baseman Jorge Polanco to first baseman Brad Glenn. Juan Perez scores. Jonathan Villar to 3rd. Zoilo Almonte singles on a ground ball to third baseman Edward Salcedo. Jonathan Villar scores. Jordy Lara walks. Zoilo Almonte to 2nd. Danny Richar called out on strikes. *** As for the opposing starting pitcher in this game, he didn't sign a huge deal with the Cubs, but his namesake did.

Puerto Rico Box Score 40-man roster catcher Juan Centeno continues to get designated hitter AB's despite his .137 average (51 AB's), but did contribute a sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly in his team's 4-3 loss.

Venezuela Box Score Reminder -- McCalvy - #Brewers have let SS prospect Orlando Arcia play deep into winter ball bc "we think playing against the advanced level is good for him," Melvin said *** Arcia singled in four AB's in his team's 9-3 loss, check out his 2014 Brevard and winter ball numbers here.