Gennett ready to return; walks hurt Garza

March 11th, 2017

PHOENIX -- After a 10-day absence, Scooter Gennett is ready to resume game action for the Brewers on Sunday.
Gennett, sidelined by a sore right wrist, took part in a full slate of activities Saturday. Unless he reports Sunday morning with renewed discomfort, he will lead off and man second base against the Reds in Goodyear, Ariz.
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"It was a little slower than we expected, but we're there," Gennett said.
Sunday's start would mark Gennett's first appearance this spring at second base, his natural position. The Brewers plan to start there this season, so Gennett has been working at third base and in left field as he transitions to a bench role.

He will continue to move around this spring, manager Craig Counsell said.
"Getting him on the field is what's really important to me right now," Counsell said. "I think what we have to realize is we have a ways to go still. There's significant time to prepare."
Walks burn Garza against Padres
Is there such a thing as feeling too good on the mound? Yes, Matt Garza argued on Saturday.
"My plan was to go out there and try to get to two strikes and work on put-away pitches," said Garza. "I got plenty to two strikes. My body felt real, real good today. I'm looking forward to feeling like this from here on out, but [when] you feel too good, you feel like you can do a little more, and it hinders you. That's all it was."
Garza was burned by a pair of two-out walks in his 2 1/3-inning outing in the Brewers' 5-3 win. He was charged with two runs on three hits and three walks.

Garza spent some time viewing video after exiting the game and was happy with the shape and bite of his slider, a critical pitch as he transitions from a power pitcher to one more reliant on offspeed stuff. Garza thinks the Brewers' new catchers are a good match for his own transition.
"We've got some good, young, talented catchers," said Garza, referring to Saturday starter , plus and . "These guys are good 'mix' guys. They like the offspeed, they like off-balance. I'm not accustomed to that, but I'm trying to change my approach and my mentality. It's helping me a lot."
A new look
First baseman batted second for the first time on Saturday. He's a candidate to hit there this season, along with Villar, center fielder or third baseman . Counsell envisions the two-hole being a run-production position.
"I don't see today as a tryout for [Thames] hitting second," Counsell said, "but it's certainly a possibility."