Milwaukee first baseman Andrew Vaughn is expected to rejoin the lineup when the Brewers begin a three-game series against the host St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, but left fielder Jackson Chourio’s return remains on hold.
Vaughn, out since March 27 after fracturing the hamate bone in his left hand on Opening Day, is set to return after playing three minor league rehab games over the weekend.
Chourio, like Vaughn, is recovering from a fractured left hand and has been on the injured list since Opening Day. Chourio’s expected return on Monday was delayed after he fouled a ball off his left ankle in Saturday’s rehab game for Triple-A Nashville.
“Fouled the ball off his left ankle and missed (his protective guard),” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “And you know, those things can be very painful. We got an X-ray on it right away and thank God it’s negative. We’ve got to see how he progresses.”
Milwaukee won two of three against the host Washington Nationals over the weekend, while St. Louis had its six-game winning streak snapped in a 4-1 home loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
The Brewers could use a power boost from both Vaughn and Chourio after the team was held without a home run in the weekend series against Washington.
“I think (the power) is something we need,” said Milwaukee catcher William Contreras. “I think we’ve been able to do a good job without them, but their return to the lineup will bring some power. It will be up to them to come back and get in a rhythm again, but no doubt, it will be good to have those guys back.”
Monday’s pitching matchup features a pair of right-handers as Milwaukee’s Chad Patrick (2-1, 2.57 ERA) faces the Cardinals’ Kyle Leahy (3-3, 5.52).
Patrick, 27, allowed one hit and two runs over five innings in a 13-2 home win over the Arizona Diamondbacks last Tuesday.
The Brewers are 4-2 in Patrick’s starts this season, and he is 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Cardinals.
St. Louis will counter with Leahy, who gave up three runs over 5 1/3 innings in an 11-7 road win over the Pittsburgh Pirates last Tuesday.
Leahy, 28, struck out a season-high seven batters while throwing 82 pitches.
“I mean, it’s progress,” Leahy said of pitching into the sixth inning. “A step in the right direction. But I still left the game not using my full pitch count. That’s not really how you want to end it.”
Leahy is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA in eight career relief appearances versus Milwaukee. He is set to make his first start against the Brewers.
The Cardinals are looking to start a new win streak after falling to 20-14 with Sunday’s setback to Los Angeles. Despite the loss, St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol was encouraged by his team’s performance at the plate.
Masyn Winn and Nathan Church had two hits apiece for St. Louis, which struck out only twice in the series finale.
“I actually thought we swung the ball really well,” Marmol said. “We took really good swings. It’s one of those games where if we repeat what we did today offensively, I think we’re in a really good spot over 162 (games).”
–Field Level Media
