Notes: Rest and rehabilitation might be enough for Brewers right-hander Matt Albers
All things considered, the visit Matt Albers had with team physician William Raasch regarding his injured right shoulder was a positive one.
There is no structural damage, according to Raasch, and the reliever will rest and rehabilitate with the hope of returning to the Milwaukee Brewers from the 10-day disabled list sooner than later.
"He's got a right shoulder strain or rotator cuff strain," manager Craig Counsell said before Wednesday's series finale with the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park.
"We'll treat it through the weekend and early next week. Hopefully, by then he's on the mend and it'll be something short term. Then we'll do something to test it further.
"So, we're treating it conservatively for now. It's get him pain free and then start throwing again."
THE GAME:5 Takeaways | Box score
HAUDRICOURT:The bullpen gets the love, but starters have stood out, too
RELATED:Brewers pitching prospect Kodi Medeiros' first career hit is a grand one
MLB:Live scoreboard, box scores, standings, statistics
Albers last pitched in the series opener Monday, allowing the clinching home run to Anthony Rizzo in the 11th inning and was charged with five earned runs in the eventual 7-2 loss.
He reported shoulder soreness after the game and was placed on the DL on Tuesday.
With over 10 years of major-league service, Albers has had some shoulder issues. He missed almost all of 2014 while with the Houston Astros due to rotator cuff tendinitis and also had a stint on the 60-day DL in 2008 with shoulder inflammation.
"I’ve had a labrum injury and a subscap(ular) injury, and this feels different in a different spot," said Albers, who is 3-2 with a 3.45 earned run average over 25 appearances (28 2/3 innings).
"I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. It’s just one of those things where it just gradually got worse and became uncomfortable.
"So, just time to take a break and hopefully we can get it right in not too long and get back."
Williams makes his mark: With Albers sidelined, rookie reliever Taylor Williams will see more high-leverage situations, such as working the eighth inning Tuesday night in the 4-0 victory over the Cubs.
But that’s really nothing new because Counsell has become more and more comfortable with using Williams with games on the line.
And why not? In 23 appearances, Williams has posted a 2.13 ERA, with only 14 hits allowed and 35 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings. Opponents are batting a paltry .157 against him, and he has retired the first hitter 17 times.
“The whole season has been an even progression for Taylor,” Counsell said. “It’s really the way you’d want it to go. He has improved the consistency of his pitches. The consistency of his slider has improved. The strike throwing with his fastball has improved.
“I think more mound time in these games in stressful situations, in late innings, higher leverage, has eased him out there. He has become more confident as he has gone out there more. He has taken steps, all in the right direction.
"We’re all seeing what a good arm he has. It’s noticeable with the way the hitters swing against him, the swing-and-miss he’s getting. It’s really good stuff, and it’s getting better.”
Barnes back on track: Counsell also has been pleased with the way Jacob Barnes has pitched since returning from a two-week stint at Class AAA Colorado Springs. Barnes was sent down to work on his command, which had lapsed, and has been much sharper in recent outings.
In seven appearances since rejoining the Brewers, Barnes has allowed three hits, no runs and no walks while logging six strikeouts.
“He has really been on the attack in the strike zone,” Counsell said. “It’s a power mix. When Jacob is in the strike zone and attacking hitters, there are not many good swings.
“I don’t think his stuff has changed at all. I think his stuff is the same. One of the things with Jacob is he doesn’t always have to be right in the strike zone. But you’ve got to be around the strike zone. At times, his misses have been big, and they’re ‘takes’ for the hitter. But when his misses are small, it’s really problematic for the hitter because of his velocity.
“The breaking ball that starts as a strike to the hitter, looks like a strike and turns into a ball. It’s a very difficult pitch for hitters to handle. But the breaking ball that looks like a ball, they won’t swing at that.”
Brewers hire Minnaert: Fox Sports Wisconsin sideline reporter Sophia Minnaert has been hired by the Brewers as the team's new broadcast and digital features content director.
A Madison native and Marquette University graduate who's been involved in Brewers broadcasts since 2013, Minnaert will continue to act as both a host and reporter for FSW during the regular season and in spring training.
She also will produce and host digital features in both English and Spanish that will be shared on a variety of platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Brewers.com.
Also in her new role, Minnaert will host daily Spring Training reports from the team’s complex in Arizona.
“I am extremely grateful to the Brewers organization for this opportunity to continue working with the team, front office and the excellent Fox Sports Wisconsin crew,” said Minnaert in a statement released by the Brewers.
“As a Wisconsin native, it is a true privilege to contribute to game broadcasts and provide engaging content to share with Brewers fans. I look forward to many more seasons to come.”