Jim Goulart

Mudcats toiling under new rules in 2018 By Jimmy Lewis, Wilson Times Did you know new Mudcat Ronnie Gideon's dad managed Carolina for two seasons? Learn about that and read additional Mudcat quotes in this article.

VIDEO via WBAY: Timber Rattlers start the season with a snowy Media Day *** VIDEO via wearegreenbay.com: More snow, more quotes

POST-GAME TUE. 4/3: VIDEO via Brewers.com: Ryan Braun on-field post walk-off *** AUDIO via Brewers.com: Craig Counsell's postgame press conference

PRE-GAME TUE. 4/3: AUDIO via the Journal-Sentinel Brewers Podcast: "Host JR Radcliffe looks back at the first four games of the season, including the opening series in San Diego and the home-opener loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, offering his five promising things from the first four games (and five concerns). Also, hear from Brewers slugging first baseman Eric Thames after the home opener and the full audio from team owner Mark Attanasio and general manager David Stearns when they met with media prior to Monday's game. NOTE: The interview clips are longer than the snippets posted yesterday. *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show: Adam McCalvy *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show: Kevin Wheeler of 101 ESPN Radio in St. Louis *** AUDIO via the Mike Heller Show (You will need to create a free iHeart Radio account to listen): Tom Haudricourt (go to the 98:45 minute mark)

VIDEO via KDRO: Sky Sox players are social media stars

Shuckers Win Exhibition Bout With William Carey Jake Gatewood Belts Two Home Runs in Victory More game details in this recap from the Shuckers...

That link from the Brewers was from January 31st, and listed Sandy Guerrero as the Mudcats' hitting coach. But the spring media guide showed the position as blank, and today's press release lists longtime Marlins organizational coach Bobby Bell in that position. Also, Wisconsin shows Nestor Corredor, Helena manager the last couple of years, as a member of the Timber Rattlers' coaching staff.

VIDEO and article via WLOX: Trent Grisham, Luis Ortiz, and Nick Ramirez among those heard

POST-GAME MON. 4/2: VIDEO via Brewers.com: Brewers slugger Eric Thames discusses getting two hits after Cardinals outfielder Dexter Fowler tweeted about needing to get a hit *** VIDEO via Brewers.com: Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain and Zach Davies discuss the excitement of the Brewers' home opener despite a tough loss to the Cardinals *** VIDEO via Fox Sports Wisconsin: Zach Davies' press meeting *** VIDEO via Brewers.com: Craig Counsell's postgame press meeting *** VIDEO via Fox Sports Wisconsin: Jerry Augustine's "Final Pitch" *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM: The full post-game show

PRE-GAME MON. 4/2: AUDIO via Matt Pauley's Brewers Extra Innings Podcast Sun. 4/1: "The Brewers season could not have started much better as they go into San Diego and sweep the Padres. After taking Easter Sunday off, the Crew opens the home portion of the season Monday afternoon. Matt looks back at the first three games of the season and particularly the impact of the newest Brewers, Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich. Brad Ford of Brew Crew Ball also joins the program to talk about the team's start to the season and give a preview of some of the prospects to watch with the Minor League season starting later in the week." *** AUDIO via the Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast Mon. 4/2: "J.P. and Ryan were joined this week by Gabe Stoltz from Disciples of Uecker to discuss the Brewers sweep of the Padres to open the 2018 season as well as some impressions of the early season. New additions Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich were on base all the time over the weekend and that helped make up for a couple of so-so starts from the rotation." *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM's Morning Show: Adam McCalvy *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM's Morning Show: Tim Allen *** AUDIO via the Drew Olson Show (You will need to create a free iHeart Radio account to listen): Tom Haudricourt (go to the 23:00 minute mark) *** AUDIO via ESPN 540 Milwaukee's "Bryan and Dan": Fox Sports Wisconsin's Sophia Minnaert *** VIDEO via Fox Sports Wisconsin: In the dugout with Lorenzo Cain *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show: Joe and Ebo, Morning Show Hosts on 96.7 FM The Zone in Madison *** AUDIO via the Bill Michaels Show: CBS 58's Kevin Holden *** VIDEO via Brewers.com: Chase Anderson on Crew's Easter dinner *** VIDEO via Brewers.com: Mark Attanasio, David Stearns on team's outfielders *** VIDEO via Brewers.com: Craig Counsell discusses the club getting to have their home opener after starting the season 3-0 *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM's "Big Show": "How can Major League Baseball say they want to speed up the game, and yet they waste time with a manager's challenge on a close call? The FAN's MLB Insider Seth Everett makes a great point on how the games could go much faster." *** AUDIO via WTMJ: Be sure to scroll all the way through for a series of mini-podcast Bob Uecker tributes from Vin Scully, Joe Block, Pat Hughes, Len Kasper, Jeff Levering, Jim Powell and Cory Provus.

AUDIO VIA WTAQ: Timber Rattlers' Chris Mehring - Dir. of Media Relations "Play Ball"

23-year-old catcher Robie Rojas jumps from Maryvale all the way to Carolina, as per his fiancé.

Unfortunately, several additional players will open 2018 on medical rehab or are simply sidelined with injuries that were not listed in the media guide It's important to note, that except in the case of RHP Aaron Wilkerson(see Adam McCalvy's update here), there is no news at all as to the nature or severity of any injuries. *** Dominican Summer League catcher Luis Avalo *** 2017 Helena LHP Cody Beckman, who was a surprise (and impressive) presence in a couple of big league camp games this spring *** IF Javier Betancourt - Betancourt's shooting in Venezuela was documented back in November *** RHP Phil Bickford - sorry folks, no new info on the 2015 San Francisco first round pick. Figure this is unrelated to his May 2017 broken hand, one would imagine *** IF/OF Kenny Corey -- The 2017 36th round pick saw action at five positions in rookie ball last summer *** Dominican Summer League infielder Aaron Familia - Familia was going to have a Maryvale/Helena target anyway, so hopefully he's ready to go in June *** Catcher Mario Feliciano The prized 2017 Timber Rattler will be sidelined to open 2018 (as noted above, unknown injury status) *** Catcher Mitch Ghelfi *** IF Devin Hairston - The 6th round pick from last summer had a walk-off sacrifice fly in a late-spring game for the big league Brewers *** RHP Cody Martin -- last summer's 27th round pick out of the University of Tampa *** Dominican Summer League RHP Jeison Medina *** LHP Drake Owenby -- Owenby was sidelined with left shoulder inflammation with the Timber Rattlers as of July 14th last summer. He was mistakenly not included in the initial post of this thread. *** SS Antonio Pinero -- As with all these players, hopefully a minor issue. There was a chance Pinero's 2018 debut was going to be in June regardless. *** Catcher Nate Rodriguez, another 2017 Timber Rattler *** RHP Jayson Rose -- The 2017 8th rounder out of Utah certainly would have been above rookie ball if good to go *** Dominican Summer League OF Luis Valdez -- Once whatever rehab is complete, almost assuredly heading back to the D.R. *** OF Je'Von Ward -- Promising 18-year-old 2017 12th rounder out of a California high school *** NOTE: In the cases of Feliciano, Corey, and Pinero, it's not 100% clear they are formally in rehab status, or just getting delayed starts for any other potential factor. Each is in camp, however.

But there's good news, because there are several players from that initial list who are cleared from rehab and have received Opening Day assignments. Because these assignments are only "98% official overall" -- until the young men get on planes from Maryvale later on Sunday, all assignments are technically unofficial. And as we have seen in the past, the Brewers will likely make liberal use of the "Helena taxi squad" during the regular season, allowing affiliates to have a 3rd catcher on hand, for instance, so it's possible more than 25 players get off those planes at each affiliate. But we can say with some confidence the assignments listed below are accurate. *** RHP Bowden Francis, 22 this April, was the Brewers 7th round pick last summer out of Chipola Junior College in Florida. Francis only made four Maryvale appearances in 2017, the last being July 19th, before being shut down with a right elbow strain. Thankfully, Francis has appeared in an early lineup listing. UPDATE: Look for Francis to be in Wiscosnin, and among the starters / tandem starters. *** LHP Nathan Kirby's journey back from Tommy John and an additional elbow procedure has been well-documented recently, including this Adam McCalvy piece on the 2015 competitive balance bonus pick. UPDATE: Look for Kirby to be in Carolina, and among the starters / tandem starters. *** Speaking of former competitive balance picks, 22-year-old 6th year pro infielder Tucker Neuhaus was placed on the Wisconsin DL on July 22nd and missed the rest of 2017 with a left knee strain. Neuhaus has been posted in early spring game lineups. UPDATE: It's been a long time coming, but Neuhaus reaches High-A, congrats, Tucker. *** RHP Jon Olczak, 24 (21st round, 2015, N.C. State) made three August rehab appearances in Maryvale. He had been sidelined as of June 1st with a right lat strain. Olczak has been listed in early lineups. UPDATE: Look for Olczak in the Carolina bullpen. *** 20-year-old 2014 bonus baby Gilbert Lara broke his right ankle shortly after his demotion to Helena last July. The infielder is another who has been seen listed in early camp lineups. UPDATE: Lara will be back for another chance with the Timber Rattlers to open 2018. *** 20-year-old LHP Blake Lillis (25th round, 2016) missed all of 2017 with "ulnar neuritis" - an inflammation of the ulnar nerve as it passes on the inside of the elbow down to the forearm and hand. Lillis is a welcome sight in early lineup postings. UPDATE: No longer officially on rehab, but the young Lillis will await a Maryvale or Helena assignment in June. *** 6'6" LHP Cam Roegner, 24 (22nd round out of Bradley, 2016) saw his 2017 season end as of August 4th with a left elbow strain. Fortunately, crisis averted, he's been listed in early camp lineups. UPDATE: Look for Roegner to be in Carolina, and among the starters / tandem starters. *** RHP Daniel Missaki has yet to officially make his Brewers regular season debut after being acquired along with fellow RHP's Freddy Peralta and Carlos Herrera in the Adam Lind deal with Seattle. On his way back from consecutive Tommy John surgeries, Missaki took the mound today (3/20/18) and did well . UPDATE: No longer officially on rehab, but Missaki will await a Maryvale or Helena assignment in June. It's certainly possible he makes a Wisconsin appearance before then, but not to start the season. *** 19-year-old Venezuelan catcher Jose Sibrian missed all of 2017 after back surgery. Sibrian ($550,000 bonus) has been listed in early camp lineups. UPDATE: No longer officially on rehab, but Sibrian will await a Maryvale or Helena assignment in June. *** Another young catcher, Puerto Rico native Johan Mojica went on the DL last July after suffering a left hamate (hand) fracture. UPDATE: No longer officially on rehab, but like Jose Sibrian, Mojica will await a Maryvale or Helena assignment in June.

On March 20th, the initial post in this thread was compiled to summarize the injury status of players who were injured at or near the end of the 2017 season, based on info provided by the Brewers. The list below is those players from that initial list who we have confirmed will begin the 2018 season on medical rehab. We don't have access to "new" injury information, but all listed should be rehabbing the injury posted. Based on the seriousness of some of the injuries/surgeries, most of these names should not surprise: RHP Nash Walters (turns 21 this May), missed the 2017 season with a right elbow strain, and had Tommy John surgery September 19th. The 2015 3rd round pick out of a Texas high school, had been committed to Texas A&M prior to signing. *** RHP Devin Williams is entering his 6th pro year, hard to believe, after being drafted in the 2nd round in 2013. He's coming up on the one-year mark of his Tommy John surgery (3/23/17). *** RHP Andrew Vernon's last 2017 Timber Rattlers' appearance was August 6th. The 24-year-old had Tommy John surgery shortly after. We had mentioned this on the forum previously; Vernon was selected in the 2016 28th round out of North Carolina Central. *** RHP Matt Smith, 24, 34th round 2016 (Georgetown) missed all of 2017, and underwent Tommy John surgery on June 6th. *** LHP Luis Cordero (turns 19 in April), started three games for the co-op DSL Brewers/Indians squad last June, in his second pro season. The Venezuelan native underwent Tommy John surgery August 3rd. *** RHP Josh Pennington was shut down with a right shoulder strain last August after a nice run of nine Timber Rattlers starts. Definitely a name we have not seen yet in 2018 but hope to see soon. *** Sidewinding 26-year-old RHP Tyler Spurlin missed all of 2017 with a right elbow strain. No report of subsequent surgery. Spurlin represented the Crew in the Arizona Fall League after a strong 2016 campaign. Spurlin was an undrafted free agent when he signed in 2013 out of Rice University. He is yet to be listed in a spring lineup posted by @BrewersPD (Brewers Player Development). *** LHP Christian Trent, 25 (24th round, 2015, Univeristy of Mississippi) missed all of 2017 due to a left forearm strain. Like Tyler Spurlin, no note of surgery required, and also has not appeared in early lineup postings yet. *** LHP Blake Fox, 24 (2016 10th round, Rice), missed all of 2017, and had rotator cuff surgery on his pitching shoulder on June 6th. Darn. *** LHP Jake Drossner (24 this May) missed all but one game of the 2017 season due to shoulder surgery on his throwing arm. Back in January, we linked to an audio interview with Jake. *** RHP Preston Gainey is entering his 7th season with the Crew. He missed most of the 2017 season (DL'd on 4/23) with what is listed as facet joint irritation. Google tells us that is "pain at the joint between two vertebrae in your spine. The facet joints are the joints in your spine that make your back flexible and enable you to bend and twist." Gainey had missed time in 2016 recovering from a lower back stress fracture. Hoping for the best short-term and long-term prognosis for the 2012 11th rounder from the Naval Academy. *** Catcher Carlos Leal, now 26, has missed each of the last two seasons due to 2016 right shoulder surgery and subsequent complications. Hopefully we see Carlos in 2018. *** Venezuelan RHP Yosmer Leal, 22, has missed the last three seasons, having pitched in the Dominican Summer League in 2013 and 2014. Leal initially underwent Tommy John surgery 5/28/15, then had it a second time last June 6th. Leal may be looking at a 4th lost season, although we may see him late in 2018, given the timing. *** RHP Jorge Ortega missed the 2017 regular season after August 2016 Tommy John surgery. However, you may remember Ortega made six appearances in the Arizona Fall League. Ortega qualified for minor league free agency, but instead signed a two-year minor league extension contract last October, thus he remains Brewers property for both 2018 and 2019. *** RHP Carlos Luna underwent Tommy John surgery in 2016 and missed both that season and the 2017 campaign. The promising Panamanian (check out his 2015 numbers) tweeted in February that he's "good to go". *** Infielder Julio Mendez remains on the mend in Venezuela following a life-threatening cardiac incident after an HBP in Maryvale late last August. That entire episode was covered as best we could respectfully do so in this thread, and we all hope for a full lifestyle recovery for Julio. Mendez was not listed in the latest media guide but we believe is still technically with the organization.

PRE-GAME SAT. 3/31: AUDIO via ESPN Madison: "Host of the Milwaukee's Tailgate podcast, J.P. Breen, joins Madison's Pregame to discuss the Brewers 2-0 start, starting pitching and Ryan Braun at first base." *** POST-GAME SAT. 3/31: VIDEO via Brewers.com: Craig Counsell's postgame presser *** VIDEO via Brewers.com: Christian Yelich, Travis Shaw and Brent Suter speak about the team's win over the Padres *** AUDIO via WTMJ: "Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich joins Matt Pauley on Brewers Extra Innings following his 5-5 outing in the Crew's 7-3 win over the Padres in a season opening sweep." *** AUDIO via WSSP 105.7 FM: The full 90-minute post-game show

Less than two weeks later, Sermo gets scooped up by the Royals organization, good for him. Sermo released by the Royals today.

Troy's Instagram:Not a surprise, Stokes to Biloxi to begin 2017, probably will see AAA by season's end

Catcher Tyler Heineman (and infielder Jake Hager) driving to Biloxi. First indication of overall depth, because Heineman should certainly be in AAA.

Nice to see Vassalotti stateside. Also OF Anderson Melendez doesn't turn 18 until May 31st. The Mexican youngster Castaneda, too.

Saturday intrasquads --

POST-GAME FRI. 3/30: VIDEO via Fox Sports Wisconsin: On-the-field with Ryan Braun *** VIDEO via Brewers.com: Craig Counsell's postgame presser *** VIDEO via Brewers.com: Jhoulys Chacin discusses his first start of the season in a Brewers win in San Diego *** AUDIO via WTMJ: "Brewers star Ryan Braun joins Matt Pauley on Brewers Extra Innings following the Crew's 8-6 win, where he hit a 2-out three-run home run for a 8-6 lead in the 9th." *** VIDEO (yes, VIDEO) via WSSP 105.7 FM's Facebook Page: "5 run 9th for the W!!! Brewers comeback on the Padres to win 8-6! Tim Allen and Baby Tausch Bill Schmid LIVE with you for a special Blain’s Farm and Fleet Baseball Post Game Show!"

On Friday, Brewers Player Development announced the release of 24-year-old RHP Jordan Desguin (36th round, 2015 out of Florida Gulf Coast, Jacob Barnes' school). Desguin spent all of 2017 with the Timber Rattlers, but he surrendered 17 Midwest League home runs in 87.2 innings (30 appearances, ten of them starts). Good luck to Desguin moving forward, whether in baseball or beyond.