Last call

• The Brewers on Thursday claimed right-hander Josh Ravin off waivers from the Reds. To make room for Ravin, they designated catcher/first baseman Blake Lalli for assignment. Ravin, a fifth-round Draft pick of the Reds in 2006, had an ERA over 5.00 in each of the past three seasons, but he is a hard thrower in the Joe Nathan mold who touches triple digits at times. The Brewers view him as a change-of-scenery candidate, and have had success with more "advanced" pitchers in recent seasons (John Axford, Jim Henderson ). Ravin -- pronounced like the black bird -- will be 26 in January.

• Outfielder Khris Davis was available to pinch-hit on Thursday, but did not start because of lingering weakness in his left wrist, according to Roenicke.

"I told him I want him to play when he feels right," Roenicke said. "We saw a few swings yesterday -- he gets fatigued at the end of games."

• The Brewers are exploring ways to limit the effect of shadow and glare at Miller Park, and four different window tints were installed in test areas before this homestand. One of the samples is effective during day games, but too reflective at night and could create a new problem. None of the samples are ideal, according to Roenicke.

• Hart identified one positive to an otherwise dismal year.

"I've never really missed extended time before, [so] I really got to sit back and see how blessed I am," Hart said. "A lot of players don't get to see that until they're done. They don't get to be with their family because they're always busy. I got to have a summer with my kids. I'm rehabbing every day, but I'm done early enough that I get to do things I would have never been able to do.

"It's been up and down, because I love being able to spend time and do things I don't normally get to do. At the same time, I miss the competitiveness."