Jim Goulart

In an ever-growing sample size (now 109 AB's), SS Jean Segura is leading the Dominican Winter League in batting at .358 after a 3-for-3 night that included a double, sacrifice bunt, and his 9th SB in 12 attempts. He's been batting 3rd in the Gigantes lineup as of late. Basically, he's a league MVP candidate at this point. *** Elsewhere in the Dominican, a reliever I think could be snapped up in Rule 5, RHP Jairo Asencio, pitched around two ninth-inning errors to keep a game tied in which his club went on to win in the 13th. Asencio has now appeared in 19 of his club's 36 DWL games, posting an ERA of 2.00. The 28-year-old is a former big league Brave, Indian, and Cub. Licey Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: Jairo Asencio replaces Jose Diaz. Jurickson Profar flies out to right fielder Ricardo Nanita. Engel Beltre grounds out, second baseman Jose Ramirez to first baseman Mike McDade. Carlos Triunfel reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Ozzie Chavez. Anderson Hernandez singles on a line drive to center fielder Jose Constanza. Anderson Hernandez to 2nd. Carlos Triunfel advances to 3rd, on a fielding error by center fielder Jose Constanza. Jairo Asencio intentionally walks Hanley Ramirez. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jhonatan Solano replaces Christian Bethancourt. Jhonatan Solano grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Ozzie Chavez. Hanley Ramirez out at 2nd. *** Also in the Dominican, RHP Frankie De La Cruz got the win in middle relief for his squad, with one scoreless frame. He began a second inning but was lifted after a leaadoff walk. His bullpen mates did their job. Aguilas Top of the 6th Pitching Change: Frankie De La Cruz replaces Eury De La Rosa. Francisco Pena lines out to second baseman Michael Martinez. Efren Navarro strikes out swinging. Juan Carlos Perez walks. Omar Luna pops out to second baseman Michael Martinez. Aguilas Top of the 7th Eliezer Mesa remains in the game as the right fielder. Elian Herrera walks. Pitching Change: Wirfin Obispo replaces Frankie De La Cruz. Miguel Tejada singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brad Snyder. Elian Herrera to 2nd. Hector Luna strikes out swinging. Manny Ramirez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Eliezer Mesa. Elian Herrera to 3rd. Miguel Tejada to 2nd. Pitching Change: Rommie Lewis replaces Wirfin Obispo. Oscar Taveras lines out to second baseman Michael Martinez. Francisco Pena grounds into a force out, shortstop Juan Diaz to second baseman Michael Martinez. Manny Ramirez out at 2nd. *** On to Puerto Rico, where Martin Maldonado, seeing action again at first base, was 1-for-4 with an RBI batting cleanup. Maldonado is 10-for-27 with five extra base hits (no walks yet) in his early season. *** Side note from Puerto Rico -- old friend LHP Josh Romanski (currently a minor league free agent), tossed a nine-inning complete game three-hit shutout. Something tells me the 2008 4th round Brewer pick who was mysteriously released during his rehab from Tommy John surgery won't be unsigned much longer. *** On to Venezuela, where 40-man roster RHP Arcenio Leon pitched a perfect final inning for his club and kept it close, but they fell 2-1. Caracas Top of the 9th Defensive Substitution: Sandy Leon replaces Jose Garcia, batting 9th, playing catcher. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Vidal Nuno. Daniel Mayora grounds out, third baseman Henry Rodriguez to first baseman Ernesto Mejia. Josh Kroeger grounds out, second baseman Jose Flores to first baseman Ernesto Mejia. Jesus Guzman lines out to third baseman Henry Rodriguez.

Via Jack Moore: Parra's .337 BABIP is the highest ever for a post-expansion (1961) pitcher with at least 500 career innings, and it's not even close. Glendon Rusch, another former Brewer, checks in second at .326.

Bill Schroeder with Bill Michaels vis WSSP

How ya' doin, Martin Maldonado? Another huge day in Puerto Rico. Back behind the plate (nobody dared run), @Machete1224 was 3-for-5 batting cleanup with two doubles and an RBI (box). Also in Puerto Rico, youngsters SS Yadiel Rivera (pinch-hit groundout) and C Emmanuel Quiles (0-for-3) saw action (box). *** Tough outing for 40-man roster RHP Jesus Sanchez, didn't retire a batter among his four and was lucky to see two stranded for him (box): Caribes Top of the 8th Defensive Substitution: Francisco Martinez replaces second baseman Jose Altuve, batting 2nd, playing second base. Pitching Change: Jesus Sanchez replaces Matt Palmer. Avisail Garcia singles on a ground ball to left fielder Leslie Anderson. Luis Oliveros doubles (3) on a fly ball to right fielder Erold Andrus. Avisail Garcia to 3rd. Eduardo Escobar singles on a ground ball to pitcher Jesus Sanchez. Avisail Garcia scores. Luis Oliveros to 3rd. Niuman Romero singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera. Luis Oliveros scores. Eduardo Escobar to 2nd. Pitching Change: Carlos Hernandez replaces Jesus Sanchez. Gorkys Hernandez grounds into a force out, shortstop Andres Blanco to second baseman Francisco Martinez. Eduardo Escobar to 3rd. Niuman Romero out at 2nd. Gorkys Hernandez to 1st. Jose Gil strikes out swinging. Luis Ugueto strikes out swinging.

Be sure to check out Josh Prince's interview as part of our offseason audio links thread.

WTMJ Brewers Weekly - 11/29/12 Dan O'Donnell talks with Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy on how he's spending his off-season and what changes does he see happening to the pitching rotation. Brewers top outfield prospect Josh Prince talks about what it was like to find out he was on the 40-man roster and joining the team at camp.

WSSP - former Brewer Paul Wagner

I've been reminded (thanks!) that a team could still select Eric Farris in the major league phase of Rule 5 if they didn't think they could get him in the minor league phase, but then the tough major league Rule 5 rules would apply. You'd think if someone did want him that badly, a deal would have been already worked out. But an interesting point nonetheless...at least to me .

I've been reminded (thanks!) that a team could still select Eric Farris in the major league phase of Rule 5 if they didn't think they could get him in the minor league phase, but then the tough major league Rule 5 rules would apply. You'd think if someone did want him that badly, a deal would have been already worked out. But an interesting point nonetheless...at least to me .

(Players in green were added to the 40-man roster, as most know by now...) In addition to the players listed in black above, the Brewers also have five players on their restricted list who technically could be taken in Rule 5, all players who walked away in the past two years in such a way that the Brewers still formally hold their rights: Brent Brewer, Jay Gibbons, Michael Marseco, Rolando Pascual and D'Vontrey Richardson We had heard that there were 39 players total on the Brewers list including the restricted players (unfortunately we don't have access to the full list), and our projected list would be at 40, but we're obviously close. I can almost guarantee our "extra" player is LHP Jose Ramos, who has missed three successive seasons now and has never pitched stateside (Tommy John surgery, 2010). Here's how the protection for Rule 5 works, this link helps: There are three separate phases in the Rule 5 Draft: the Major League phase, the Class AAA phase and the Class AA phase. A player selected in one of the three phases must be placed on the Major League Club's Reserve List in the same classification of the phase in which the player was selected. Within each phase, only players from a Reserve List of a lower classification Club are eligible for selection. Major League Clubs select in reverse order of their League standing at the close of the preceding championship season. Keep in mind that the roster size for purposes of the Rule 5 draft is much larger than the actual playing rosters. The Major League reserve roster is 40, while the playing roster is 25. The AAA roster size is 38, and the AA roster size is 37. So the Brewers could theoretically protect nearly all their eligibles at the AAA level with 38 slots, but that's not what will happen. There will be players protected below the AAA level, and those players will be eligible to be plucked with no special return obligation on the other side. It's a way for organizations to supplement areas where they may lack depth, and organizations can also expose players that aren't in their plans to give them opportunities elsewhere. Players grabbed by the Brewers in the minor league phase of Rule 5 in past years include RHP's Steve Bray, Joe Bateman, and Mark Holliman, and utility man Juan Sanchez, who just ended a four-year run in the organization. Players the Brewers have lost in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft include RHP's Patrick Ryan and Bo Hall, INF Guilder Rodriguez, and catcher John Vanden Berg. (Names for the diehard forum followers here...) In 2009, Matt Eddy of Baseball America wrote about the minor league phase of Rule 5. NOTE: We have learned, and since confirmed with a few sources, including his agent Joe Rosen, that the Brewers informed Eric Farris he would be protected on the AA Rule 5 list, not the AAA. Thus, Farris is not eligible to be taken in the major league phase of Rule 5, but can be taken in the minor league phase, again, with no special obligation rules for returning the player. This makes sense. Farris and Scooter Gennett are both 2013 AAA second basemen with limited experience elsewhere on the infield. If the Brewers have exhausted the possibilities of moving Farris for trade value, allowing him to be taken in minor league Rule 5 would be a nice way to give Farris a clean start elsewhere (Eric is still a season away from minor league free agency). It would be hard to imagine Farris would not be picked, but if the 26-year-old 2007 4th rounder is not, that could be a bit awkward.

(Players in green were added to the 40-man roster, as most know by now...) In addition to the players listed in black above, the Brewers also have five players on their restricted list who technically could be taken in Rule 5, all players who walked away in the past two years in such a way that the Brewers still formally hold their rights: Brent Brewer, Jay Gibbons, Michael Marseco, Rolando Pascual and D'Vontrey Richardson We had heard that there were 39 players total on the Brewers list including the restricted players (unfortunately we don't have access to the full list), and our projected list would be at 40, but we're obviously close. I can almost guarantee our "extra" player is LHP Jose Ramos, who has missed three successive seasons now and has never pitched stateside (Tommy John surgery, 2010). Here's how the protection for Rule 5 works, this link helps: There are three separate phases in the Rule 5 Draft: the Major League phase, the Class AAA phase and the Class AA phase. A player selected in one of the three phases must be placed on the Major League Club's Reserve List in the same classification of the phase in which the player was selected. Within each phase, only players from a Reserve List of a lower classification Club are eligible for selection. Major League Clubs select in reverse order of their League standing at the close of the preceding championship season. Keep in mind that the roster size for purposes of the Rule 5 draft is much larger than the actual playing rosters. The Major League reserve roster is 40, while the playing roster is 25. The AAA roster size is 38, and the AA roster size is 37. So the Brewers could theoretically protect nearly all their eligibles at the AAA level with 38 slots, but that's not what will happen. There will be players protected below the AAA level, and those players will be eligible to be plucked with no special return obligation on the other side. It's a way for organizations to supplement areas where they may lack depth, and organizations can also expose players that aren't in their plans to give them opportunities elsewhere. Players grabbed by the Brewers in the minor league phase of Rule 5 in past years include RHP's Steve Bray, Joe Bateman, and Mark Holliman, and utility man Juan Sanchez, who just ended a four-year run in the organization. Players the Brewers have lost in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft include RHP's Patrick Ryan and Bo Hall, INF Guilder Rodriguez, and catcher John Vanden Berg. (Names for the diehard forum followers here...) In 2009, Matt Eddy of Baseball America wrote about the minor league phase of Rule 5. NOTE: We have learned, and since confirmed with a few sources, including his agent Joe Rosen, that the Brewers informed Eric Farris he would be protected on the AA Rule 5 list, not the AAA. Thus, Farris is not eligible to be taken in the major league phase of Rule 5, but can be taken in the minor league phase, again, with no special obligation rules for returning the player. This makes sense. Farris and Scooter Gennett are both 2013 AAA second basemen with limited experience elsewhere on the infield. If the Brewers have exhausted the possibilities of moving Farris for trade value, allowing him to be taken in minor league Rule 5 would be a nice way to give Farris a clean start elsewhere (Eric is still a season away from minor league free agency). It would be hard to imagine Farris would not be picked, but if the 26-year-old 2007 4th rounder is not, that could be a bit awkward.

DOMINICAN: After a full week away, we were ready to claim Jean Segura's winter season was over at 24 games, 102 AB's, and a fine .845 OPS. But he returned on Wednesday, singled twice in four AB's, and drove in two. In the same game, SS Hector Gomez, ironically after fielding a change-of-direction ground ball off the bat of Segura, had to leave the game. Gigantes Bottom of the 1st Alexi Casilla homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. Leury Garcia strikes out swinging. Jean Segura grounds out, pitcher Kevin Slowey to shortstop Hector Gomez to first baseman Angel Villalona. Defensive Substitution: Ozzie Chavez replaces shortstop Hector Gomez, batting 9th, playing shortstop. Robinzon Diaz grounds out, second baseman Jose Ramirez to first baseman Angel Villalona. You'll notice former Brewer farmhand Ozzie Chavez, now 29 years old, took over. He did not play affiliated ball in 2012. *** PUERTO RICO: Martin Maldonado, again batting cleanup but playing first base, was 3-for-4 with a double. *** VENEZUELA: Catcher Anderson De La Rosa with a pinch-running / late-inning replacement appearance.

Fox Sports Wisconsin's Mark Concannon on WSSP

(Players in green were added to the 40-man roster, as most know by now...) In addition to the players listed in black above, the Brewers also have five players on their restricted list who technically could be taken in Rule 5, all players who walked away in the past two years in such a way that the Brewers still formally hold their rights: Brent Brewer, Jay Gibbons, Michael Marseco, Rolando Pascual and D'Vontrey Richardson We had heard that there were 39 players total on the Brewers list including the restricted players (unfortunately we don't have access to the full list), and our projected list would be at 40, but we're obviously close. I can almost guarantee our "extra" player is LHP Jose Ramos, who has missed three successive seasons now and has never pitched stateside (Tommy John surgery, 2010). Here's how the protection for Rule 5 works, this link helps: There are three separate phases in the Rule 5 Draft: the Major League phase, the Class AAA phase and the Class AA phase. A player selected in one of the three phases must be placed on the Major League Club's Reserve List in the same classification of the phase in which the player was selected. Within each phase, only players from a Reserve List of a lower classification Club are eligible for selection. Major League Clubs select in reverse order of their League standing at the close of the preceding championship season. Keep in mind that the roster size for purposes of the Rule 5 draft is much larger than the actual playing rosters. The Major League reserve roster is 40, while the playing roster is 25. The AAA roster size is 38, and the AA roster size is 37. So the Brewers could theoretically protect nearly all their eligibles at the AAA level with 38 slots, but that's not what will happen. There will be players protected below the AAA level, and those players will be eligible to be plucked with no special return obligation on the other side. It's a way for organizations to supplement areas where they may lack depth, and organizations can also expose players that aren't in their plans to give them opportunities elsewhere. Players grabbed by the Brewers in the minor league phase of Rule 5 in past years include RHP's Steve Bray, Joe Bateman, and Mark Holliman, and utility man Juan Sanchez, who just ended a four-year run in the organization. Players the Brewers have lost in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft include RHP's Patrick Ryan and Bo Hall, INF Guilder Rodriguez, and catcher John Vanden Berg. (Names for the diehard forum followers here...) In 2009, Matt Eddy of Baseball America wrote about the minor league phase of Rule 5. NOTE: We have learned, and since confirmed with a few sources, including his agent Joe Rosen, that the Brewers informed Eric Farris he would be protected on the AA Rule 5 list, not the AAA. Thus, Farris is not eligible to be taken in the major league phase of Rule 5, but can be taken in the minor league phase, again, with no special obligation rules for returning the player. This makes sense. Farris and Scooter Gennett are both 2013 AAA second basemen with limited experience elsewhere on the infield. If the Brewers have exhausted the possibilities of moving Farris for trade value, allowing him to be taken in minor league Rule 5 would be a nice way to give Farris a clean start elsewhere (Eric is still a season away from minor league free agency). It would be hard to imagine Farris would not be picked, but it the 2007 4th rounder is not, that could be a bit awkward.

Jerry Augustine on WSSP

RHP Jairo Asencio has 18 (!) Dominican appearances under his belt, and earned save #10 on Tuesday. Licey Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Jairo Asencio replaces Jeffry Antigua. Anderson Hernandez grounds out, second baseman Jose Ramirez to first baseman Robbie Widlansky. Donell Linares grounds out, shortstop Hector Gomez to first baseman Robbie Widlansky. Ronny Paulino grounds out, third baseman Diory Hernandez to first baseman Robbie Widlansky. SS Hector Gomez had a two-run double in that game. *** In Puerto Rico, Martin Maldonado, batting cleanup, was 0-for-4 in this extra-inning game but picked up two RBI on sacrifice flies. He threw out one runner, had one passed ball. *** In this Venezuelan League game, Anderson De La Rosa had a pinch-hit single and 40-man roster RHP Arcenio Leon tossed a scoreless inning. Lara Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Deivis Mavarez. Tomas Perez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Freddy Parejo. Johan Limonta grounds into a double play, second baseman Henry Rodriguez to shortstop Jose Garcia to first baseman Ernesto Mejia. Tomas Perez out at 2nd. Jose Yepez pops out to third baseman Jose Flores in foul territory. 40-man RHP Jesus Sanchez tossed one inning, allowing one run in this game. Caracas Bottom of the 6th Leslie Anderson remains in the game as the left fielder. Defensive switch from left field to right field for Erold Andrus. Pitching Change: Levi Romero replaces Gabriel Garcia. Jesus Guzman singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Leslie Anderson. Henry Wrigley singles on a line drive to left fielder Leslie Anderson. Jesus Guzman to 2nd. Carlos Rivero homers (9) on a fly ball to left field. Jesus Guzman scores. Henry Wrigley scores. Pitching Change: Jesus Sanchez replaces Levi Romero. Jesus Aguilar homers (3) on a fly ball to left field. Ramon Cabrera grounds out softly, pitcher Jesus Sanchez to first baseman Eliezer Alfonzo. Hernan Perez reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Darwin Perez. Marwin Gonzalez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Erold Andrus. Hernan Perez to 2nd. Franklin Gutierrez flies out to right fielder Erold Andrus in foul territory. Josh Kroeger flies out softly to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera.

11/27/12 Former Brewers closer Ken Sanders joins WSSP, talks about the current Brewers lineup, Carlos Gomez, and starting pitching.

Via MLB Trade Rumors: The Nationals signed left-hander Bobby Bramhall to a minor league pact, according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com (via Twitter). The 27-year-old posted a 3.17 ERA with 8.7 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 30 minor league outings for the Marlins organization last year.

Just bumping this because as a year-long follower of the independent league transaction wires, it's been frustrating to see Baltimore and Arizona sign multiple players this past week, and for many teams to have been plucking players since the Brewers last did, back on August 11, 2011 with RHP Mark Williams, the now 23-year-old who had a nice year with Wisconsin. The Brandon Kintzler success story, they liked Darren Byrd enough to keep him from minor league free agency this fall, we all love LHP Alan Williams' potential -- just hopeful the Brewers haven't abandoned this source of talent, all-be-it longshot talent. It's by far the longest stretch of months the club has gone without in the Melvin era, placing faith in their own kids, or just not seeing what they feel worthwhile in the indy ranks.

Brian Anderson on WSSP (24 minutes)

Another clean inning for Rule 5 eligible Jairo Asencio, and SS Hector Gomez commits his 6th error in limited Dominican action (as a late-inning sub) -- Aguilas Top of the 8th Defensive Substitution: Hector Gomez replaces Jefry Marte, batting 9th, playing shortstop. Pitching Change: Fabio Castillo replaces Osiris Matos. Omar Luna reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Jose Ramirez. Hector Luna walks. Omar Luna to 2nd. Wilin Rosario singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ricardo Nanita. Omar Luna to 3rd. Hector Luna to 2nd. Pitching Change: Jose Lugo replaces Fabio Castillo. Oscar Taveras grounds into a force out, second baseman Jose Ramirez to shortstop Hector Gomez. Omar Luna scores. Hector Luna scores. Wilin Rosario out at 2nd. Oscar Taveras advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by shortstop Hector Gomez. Jose Lugo intentionally walks Miguel Tejada. Pitching Change: Arquimedes Caminero replaces Jose Lugo. Erick Almonte called out on strikes. Francisco Pena flies out to right fielder Ricardo Nanita in foul territory. Aguilas Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Jairo Asencio replaces Arquimedes Caminero. Juan Carlos Perez strikes out swinging. Elian Herrera grounds out, second baseman Jose Ramirez to first baseman Angel Villalona. Omar Luna grounds out, shortstop Hector Gomez to first baseman Angel Villalona.

I keep coming back in my mind to Ty Wigginton as the RH power bench bat (career OPS of about .810 vs. LHP) that can spell Aramis, Ryan, and Corey when needed and heck, even at age 35, be an emergency (note, emergency-only) option for 2B as well. I did a forum search to see if he had been mentioned as an option during this post-2012 offseason, and when I saw he hadn't, thought I'd toss his name out there. Probably available for a one-year, $1.75M deal, I'd imagine.

Adam McCalvy on WSSP Monday AM

VENEZUELA: You can't stop longtime Brewers catcher Anderson De La Rosa, you can only hope to contain him. After entering as a pinch-runner in the 8th (and scoring), he drives in the winning run and gets pounded by teammates in the 9th, 10-9 win. Lara Bottom of the 9th Ray Olmedo remains in the game as the designated hitter. Guilder Rodriguez walks. Tomas Perez out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Salvador Perez to second baseman Cesar Suarez. Guilder Rodriguez to 3rd. Anderson De La Rosa reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by second baseman Cesar Suarez. Guilder Rodriguez scores. Yes, that old friend, Guilder Rodriguez. *** 40-man roster RHP Arcenio Leon allowed an inherited runner to score on a wild pitch, and he added yet another intentional walk to his stat line: Caribes Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Carlos Vasquez replaces Yeiper Castillo. Luis Oliveros walks. Eduardo Escobar hits a sacrifice bunt. Fielding error by pitcher Carlos Vasquez. Luis Oliveros to 2nd. Eduardo Escobar to 1st. With Niuman Romero batting, passed ball by Humberto Quintero, Luis Oliveros to 3rd. Eduardo Escobar to 2nd. Niuman Romero grounds out, third baseman Henry Rodriguez to first baseman Tony Alvarez. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Carlos Vasquez. Gorkys Hernandez reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Henry Rodriguez to catcher Humberto Quintero. Luis Oliveros out at home. Eduardo Escobar to 3rd. Gorkys Hernandez to 2nd. With Alexi Amarista batting, wild pitch by Arcenio Leon, Eduardo Escobar scores. Gorkys Hernandez to 3rd. Arcenio Leon intentionally walks Alexi Amarista. Jose Castillo pops out to first baseman Tony Alvarez in foul territory. *** PUERTO RICO: This box score has dueling Brewers catchers Martin Maldonado and Emmanuel Quiles (Helena, 2012). No stolen bases attempted, Maldonado with a two-run double. *** DOMINICAN: Frankie De La Cruz picked up a win with three scoreless innings of middle relief -- Toros Bottom of the 4th Pitching Change: Frankie De La Cruz replaces Stolmy Pimentel. Diory Hernandez walks. Robbie Widlansky grounds into a double play, shortstop Juan Diaz to second baseman Alex Valdez to first baseman Ed Rogers. Diory Hernandez out at 2nd. Steven Lerud lines out sharply, pitcher Frankie De La Cruz to third baseman Luis Jimenez to first baseman Ed Rogers. Toros Bottom of the 5th Hector Gomez flies out to center fielder Felix Pie. Jose Constanza grounds out, third baseman Luis Jimenez to first baseman Ed Rogers. Jose Ramirez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Junior Lake. Dropped foul pop error by right fielder Eliezer Mesa. Ricardo Nanita singles on a ground ball to right fielder Eliezer Mesa. Jose Ramirez to 3rd. Chad Huffman strikes out swinging. Toros Bottom of the 6th Jonathan Galvez remains in the game as the designated hitter. Eugenio Velez grounds out, second baseman Alex Valdez to first baseman Ed Rogers. Diory Hernandez pops out to shortstop Juan Diaz. Robbie Widlansky grounds out, first baseman Ed Rogers to pitcher Frankie De La Cruz. SS Hector Gomez, retired by De La Cruz, was 0-for-2. *** An error after he was lifted hurt, but 40-man roster RHP Fautino De Los Santos blew a 4-2 lead in the 9th as follows - Nashville Manager Mike Guerrero with a mention: Licey Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Fautino De Los Santos replaces Joel Carreno. Defensive Substitution: Victor Mendez replaces left fielder Fernando Martinez, batting 6th, playing left field. Donell Linares singles on a ground ball to left fielder Victor Mendez. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Jurickson Profar replaces Donell Linares. Leonys Martin singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Justin Turner. Jurickson Profar to 2nd. Timo Perez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Victor Mendez. Jurickson Profar scores. Leonys Martin to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Luis Terrero replaces Timo Perez. Jhonatan Solano strikes out on a foul bunt. Tigres del Licey Interim Manager Mike Guerrero ejected by HP umpire Felix Tejada. Engel Beltre strikes out swinging. Dee Gordon walks. Leonys Martin to 3rd. Luis Terrero to 2nd. Anderson Hernandez singles on a soft ground ball to pitcher Fautino De Los Santos. Leonys Martin scores. Luis Terrero to 3rd. Dee Gordon to 2nd. Pitching Change: Wilkin De La Rosa replaces Fautino De Los Santos. Juan Francisco reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Pedro Florimon. Luis Terrero scores. Dee Gordon scores. Anderson Hernandez to 3rd. Juan Francisco to 2nd. Pitching Change: Nelson Figueroa replaces Wilkin De La Rosa. Ronny Paulino flies out to right fielder Abraham Almonte.

Saturday: Martin Maldonado made his winter debut in Puerto Rico (1-for-3, no opponent attempted a steal). Maldonado was picked off himself. Catcher Dayton Buller made his second Dominican start, singled in three AB's, and threw out one of three basestealers. Shortstop Yadiel Rivera made a late-game Puerto Rico appearance, no AB or chances. Scoreless relief outing in Venezuela for RHP Jesus Sanchez, impressive because it happened in a 17-16 loss. La Guaira Bottom of the 7th Defensive switch from second base to shortstop for Darwin Perez. Defensive Substitution: Francisco Martinez replaces Jesus Flores, batting 9th, playing second base. Salvador Perez doubles (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Ezequiel Carrera. Alex Cabrera singles on a fly ball to center fielder Endy Chavez. Salvador Perez to 3rd. C. J. Retherford singles on a fly ball to center fielder Endy Chavez. Salvador Perez scores. Alex Cabrera to 2nd. Oscar Salazar doubles (6) on a fly ball to left fielder Ezequiel Carrera. Alex Cabrera scores. C. J. Retherford to 3rd. Pitching Change: Carlos Hernandez replaces Jose Ortega. Hector Sanchez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Endy Chavez. J. Retherford scores. Oscar Salazar to 3rd. Jose Martinez grounds out, second baseman Francisco Martinez to first baseman Eliezer Alfonzo. Rafael Ortega doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Ezequiel Carrera. Oscar Salazar scores. Pitching Change: Jesus Sanchez replaces Carlos Hernandez. Renny Osuna walks. Cesar Suarez flies out to left fielder Ezequiel Carrera. La Guaira Bottom of the 8th Francisco Cervelli remains in the game as the designated hitter. Salvador Perez pops out to catcher Carlos Maldonado in foul territory. Brandon Short grounds out, second baseman Francisco Martinez to first baseman Eliezer Alfonzo. C. J. Retherford pops out to first baseman Eliezer Alfonzo in foul territory Check out the linescore and 9th inning madness. Tigers young closer in waiting (perhaps 2013), the behemoth Bruce Rondon, had been having a dominating winter prior to that blowup.