Notes: Crew sets rotation; Braun a near-go

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers’ starting rotation is set, but the announcement came with a public service message from manager Craig Counsell.

“What I want to stress to you guys is don't get stuck thinking this is going to be the traditional five guys and a starting pitcher every day,” said Counsell, who has made fine art of managing expanded rosters in recent Septembers. “I think you guys understand what's going to happen and how we're going to do it.”

With that bit of advice noted -- and a reminder that Opening Day rosters will be 30 players strong in 2020 -- here’s how the Brewers will line up an entirely right-handed rotation to start the season: Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta against the Cubs from Friday through Sunday at Wrigley Field, then Adrian Houser, Josh Lindblom and presumably back around to Woodruff in three games in Pittsburgh from Monday through Wednesday.

The two lefties who were in the mix in Spring Training will open on the 10-day injured list and will surely make starts as the season progresses. Veteran Brett Anderson was originally slotted to start Saturday’s game at Wrigley Field against the Cubs, but he was sidelined by a blister on his left index finger and placed on the IL Monday. That means he will be eligible to return as early as the Brewers’ July 31 home opener against the Cardinals at Miller Park.

And Eric Lauer, one of the players acquired in a pre-Thanksgiving trade with the Padres, is opening the season on the COVID-19-related IL. Lauer never tested positive for the virus, but he was in close contact with an individual who did just as players were traveling to Milwaukee for the start of Summer Camp. While he waited to clear the league’s protocols, he fell a week or so behind the other pitchers and was scheduled to work two innings at the team’s alternate training site in Appleton, Wis., on Wednesday. Like Anderson, he is not far from being ready to join the Major League team, if needed.

Other pitchers with “length” who will be on the Brewers’ Opening Day roster include left-hander Brent Suter and right-hander Devin Williams. And, of course, every pitching plan leads to the availability of closer Josh Hader, who has proven to be at his best when used for multiple innings, often with multiple days off between outings.

On the roster bubble are starter types like Shelby Miller, Jake Faria and Zack Brown. As of Wednesday morning, it was unclear whether they would be on the Brewers’ Opening Day roster or sent to Appleton.

“I think we’ve got a very eclectic mix,” Anderson said. “Right-handed, left-handed. We’ve got power guys, finesse guys. You look at Burnes and I, pitch the last time [in the same game], you’ve got two polar-opposite styles, contrasting the way we go about it. I think that’s good. The other team, over the course of a three- or four-game series isn’t going to see the same style pitcher too many times. It’s always good to keep teams on their toes and see different styles, day in and day out."

Braun back in lineup, trending toward opener
After taking batting practice on the field Tuesday, Ryan Braun served as the Brewers’ designated hitter for Wednesday’s exhibition game against the White Sox in Chicago. That gave Braun a chance to serve the same role on Friday against the Cubs, keeping alive his streak of playing every Opening Day since he broke into the big leagues in May 2007.

Braun, who went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Wednesday, missed all seven games of the Brewers’ Blue-Gold Series of intrasquad games because of left oblique discomfort. He said his surgically repaired back locked up before the series, and that led to the oblique issue.

Would one exhibition game be enough to be ready for a game that counts two days later?

“I hope so. That’s the goal,” Braun said. “Obviously it’s been a bit challenging physically over the last few weeks, but knock on wood, I’m in a pretty good place right now. The trainers and physical therapists have worked incredibly hard to help get me back to this place. I feel good. Hopefully tonight goes well. I’ll continue to take it one day at a time, but I’ve never felt like I needed too many at bats to feel like I’m prepared to play.”

The Brewers would like their longest-tenured player in the lineup, if healthy, because of Braun’s history at Wrigley Field. He is a .323/.375/.557 hitter there and has gotten used to hearty boos from Cubs fans. Will it be strange playing in front of empty seats?

“I still might get booed, man,” Braun said. “There’s a chance. They’ve got some sounds maybe they’re piping in. It wouldn’t be normal for me not to get booed there. Maybe the people across the way on the rooftops or something like that.

“Obviously for all of us, we would prefer to have fans, even on the road in the most challenging environments. They create such a unique atmosphere and environment. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed and the no-fan thing will be one of the biggest challenges of this season, whether it’s at home or on the road.”

Last call
• Reliever Ray Black, who was placed on the 10-day IL on Tuesday with a strained right rotator cuff, could try throwing as soon as early next week in Appleton, Counsell said, which is a good sign that the team believes his injury is manageable. “That kind of gives you an idea of the time,” Counsell said. “It's not going to be a long shutdown from throwing."

• As the Brewers headed out on the road for the first time, infielder Luis Urías remained on the COVID-19-related IL -- and in quarantine while awaiting the two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart. Urías tested positive before the start of Summer Camp and is frustrated, according to Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns, because he feels well and able to play.

“You do hear stories of these asymptomatic positives that just keep testing positive, and that's where we are right now,” Stearns said. “I'm hopeful we're getting to the end of it. You don't hear too many stories where it lasts longer than four weeks, and we're getting pretty close to the four-week mark, so certainly it’s our expectation that we're going to get some good news soon and get him going -- and yes, I do believe he will play for us this year.”