Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Last call

• The Norichika Aoki-for-Will Smith trade is not quite complete, Ash noted with a chuckle Monday. He is still in contact with Royals assistant general manager Dean Taylor about the status of Aoki's interpreter, Kosuke Inaji, who is a Brewers employee with a contract through 2014 that coincided with Aoki's. Ash said he "fully expected" the teams would work out a transfer.

• The Brewers have yet to commence contract discussions with their arbitration-eligible players, Estrada and Francisco. According to MLBTradeRumors.com's projections, Estrada will cost about $3.5 million and Francisco about $1.5 million.

• Weeks is making "very good" progress in his rehab from hamstring surgery, Ash said. The Brewers' athletic training staff had hoped to examine Weeks this week, since the Winter Meetings are in Weeks' hometown, but Weeks traveled instead to California for Braun's wedding. Weeks has been running, and Ash has "no concerns" about Weeks being ready for the start of Spring Training.

"We haven't physically seen him yet, that's the only thing," Ash said. "But the reports have all been positive."

The Brewers have also received good reports about third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who nursed a knee injury throughout the season.

• The Brewers have an opening on the 40-man roster, but Melvin said the club was unlikely to make a selection in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft. Club officials will go over potential picks again Tuesday.

• Outfielder Mitch Haniger was named to the Arizona Fall League's all-prospect team. He led the league with 24 RBIs, tied for second with eight doubles, third with 12 extra-base hits and fourth with 28 hits in 100 at-bats.

Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brew Beat, and follow him on Twitter at @AdamMcCalvy.
Read More: Milwaukee Brewers