Notes: Christian Yelich got healthy; Lewis Brinson started slowly

Tom Haudricourt
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Lewis Brinson appreciates the support of Marlins CEO Derek Jeter through his struggles since joining the team. He was batting .131 entering the series against the Brewers, his former team.

Christian Yelich and Lewis Brinson have faced different challenges in the opening weeks of the 2018 with their new clubs. 

Yelich, acquired in the off-season from Miami, spent nearly two weeks on the disabled list with an oblique strain before returning to the lineup Wednesday.

Brinson, the major piece sent by the Brewers to the Marlins in that trade, has struggled to produce on the field and live up to the expectations that come with being Milwaukee's No. 1 prospect before that swap.

That was the backdrop Thursday as the Brewers and Marlins met for the first time since the blockbuster trade in late January. Yelich and Brinson both held media sessions before the series opener to discuss how things have gone in their new environments.

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"I hadn't been in there for the last couple of weeks but hopefully it will get back to normal and I'll settle in for the rest of the year," said Yelich, who was off to a hot start before getting injured, including a five-hit game in the opening series in San Diego. 

"Any time you're on the DL, it sucks. It's not a great experience. You never want to be there. It's definitely frustrating. But those things happen. We have a lot of depth here and guys have been able to step in, and win some games. It's good to be back. I feel great."

Although several Marlins were traded over the off-season, including slugger Giancarlo Stanton, as new management stripped payroll to cut costs, Yelich remains close to some who remained, including catcher J.T. Realmuto and first baseman Justin Bour. He went out to dinner with some of his former teammates Wednesday night to catch up.

"I'm obviously pretty close to some of the guys over there; we have some history, been through some stuff," Yelich said. "I follow those guys as much as I can. But I don't see it being any different during games. It will be business as usual."

Brinson was given time off in Miami's previous series against the Yankees in New York to regroup mentally and work on some adjustments at the plate. He batted only .131 in his first 16 games with no home runs and one RBI, with 20 strikeouts in 65 plate appearances.

Despite those struggles, Brinson said he did not think he put too much pressure on himself to perform as the top prospect acquired in the big deal, along with outfielder Monte Harrison and infielder Isan Diaz.

"I've been trying to stay positive and just tell myself I belong up here," he said. "I still believe that, no matter how bad I'm going or how good I'm going. I know I can play up here for a very long time. 

"I don't try to put pressure on myself. Obviously, playing for my hometown team, getting traded for a guy like Yelich, the great ballplayer he is, you can put pressure on yourself. But I choose not to. Just go out there and play my game. Like I said, I know I belong up here.

"The trade happened for a reason. I'm happy it did; I'm happy to be here. This opportunity is great for me and my career. I'm looking forward to this series."

Brinson then went out and proved it by smashing home runs in his first two at-bats of the series opener. It was quite a turnaround for a hitter who had no extra-base hits for the season. 

Brinson said he has received words of encouragement from Derek Jeter, the new CEO and part owner of the Marlins, which meant a lot.

"He just told me to keep swinging," Brinson said. "Don't be passive; just keep swinging. It will come. There's a reason why you're up here. He has total confidence in me. Obviously, a great guy to talk to, one of the greatest guys to talk to about stuff like that. Just to have him around the cage, speaking to us and being open about everything, means a lot."

Close to full strength: For the first time since April 4, manager Craig Counsell was able to write the names of Yelich and Lorenzo Cain, the team's big off-season acquisitions, in the same lineup. The hope is that Ryan Braun, who has missed three starts with right calf tightness, will be able to play Friday night. 

"The positive thing was Christian had a good day (Wednesday)," Counsell said. "There was not any signs of rust. He did everything you'd do in a baseball game and everything went fine. So, he seems to be in a pretty good place.

"(Braun) is doing much better. He's in a spot where we could use him today (off the bench). So, we're definitely going in the right direction."

Braun showed how much better he was feeling by pinch-hitting in the sixth inning and smacking a three-run homer to reach 1,000 RBI for his career.