Gennett, Weeks to platoon at second base

MILWAUKEE -- Second base prospect Scooter Gennett joined the Brewers on Monday and will form a loose, lefty/righty platoon with incumbent Rickie Weeks, manager Ron Roenicke said.

Weeks started Monday against A's left-hander Tommy Milone, and Gennett's first Major League start could come Tuesday against right-hander A.J. Griffin.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him," Roenicke said of Gennett, who pinch-hit in the ninth inning of Monday's 10-2 loss to Oakland and grounded out to the pitcher. "He's got some energy, which I like and I think we need. I think anytime you bring in guys who have a lot of energy -- [Jean] Segura-type energy -- I think it's good for your club."

Roenicke said playing time between Gennett and Weeks will not be based strictly on the throwing arm of the opposing pitcher, as Weeks will still see time against some right-handers. But with the arrival of Gennett, Weeks' already diminished playing time will lessen further. But on cue, Weeks drilled his fourth homer of the year in the fifth inning on Monday, and would have had another if not for a replay review that made his seventh-inning drive a triple.

"We saw [Gennett] in Spring Training and we knew early on that he was a good hitter," Roenicke said. "Everybody thought that he would hit in the big leagues."

Gennett said he arrived in Milwaukee at noon CT on Monday and headed straight to Miller Park. He batted .297 with one home run, 13 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 50 games at Nashville.

"I'm excited to get out there and start playing," Gennett said. "Whenever that time is, I'll be ready and excited to go out there and play. I would say that I probably have a decent opportunity to get some playing time."

Gennett was selected to the All-Star Futures Game in Kansas City and hit for the cycle in a Spring Training game last year. He was born in Cincinnati and has a lot of family in Ohio and Indiana but said, "I don't think they're Reds fans anymore."

"Having the opportunity to go to big league camp and get to know everybody and get an idea of what your daily routine's going to be, it makes you feel a little bit better and confident that you're going to know what you're doing," Gennett said. "I still have to learn some things and get used to this routine here. I'm just really excited."