Rodrigo "RodRod" Rodriguez has arguably been the Brewers MVP the past few weeks but yesterday, while applying the tag at third base after a terrific throw from right fielder Josh Schaeffer to eliminate a runner, RodRod was visibly in pain and had to be removed from the game. The diagnosis: a severely sprained wrist which has now landed him on the 10-day IL. It is hoped he might be recovered by the time his IL stint ends but it is possible it might take close to 2 weeks for him to be ready to play again.
In his absence the Brewers promote 25-year old infielder B.J. Drew from AAA Chester. Drew is an excellent defender with good skills on the base paths in spite of possessing only average foot speed. His bat skills are sub-par but he will draw the occasional walk. He is more a replacement for Oscar Vargas then a direct replacement for RodRod but he at least gives the infield some flexibility while they wait for RodRod's return.
With the loss of one of the most potent left-handed bats in the lineup (one of the most potent bats, period, really) the thought is that this might shorten Joe McPhillips rehab stint at AAA Chester. McPhillips started slow in his rehab assignment but has had two very fine games in a row and is likely ready to return soon. Jorge Gonzalez would then need to return to the minors. While Gonzalez has done a fine job in McPhillips absence, he has been a bit colder of late at the plate, but overall it has to be said that his first big league audition was a rousing success.
