News of Rickie Weeks' "Sore" Wrist is not good. It seems like every time something is going good for Rickie he gets hurt. This time, Weeks left Sunday's game against the Cardinals after striking out in the first inning. The culprit was a sore left wrist, which is better news that a sore right wrist which is what was surgically repaired in 2005.
The fact that Weeks is seeing a specialist is not a good sign. So let's assume the worst, the Brew Crew will be without their leadoff hitter and second baseman for an extended period of time. So what are the choices?
On the starting roster now it's likely that Craig Counsell and Casey McGehee would see the majority of playing time which would bring to question whether or not Mat Gamel would remain on the roster to play of the bench. I doubt this is a viable option because Gamel needs to play every day in the field if he is going to be the future at third base. So I expect that Gamel will return to the majors at the end of interleague play.
Who in the minors will be able to step in at second base then? Hernan Iribarren is probably the most likely answer, not because he would be a starter for the crew, but because he would fill a good spot on the bench. Iribarren is left-handed and has been a utility player in the minors. He's a career .317 hitter in the minors and got a taste of the bigs last season.
If Milwaukee is going to need an even more long-term answer, why not look to free agency? One intriguing option would be Ray Durham. He has not retired, but he doesn't have a team yet either. Down the stretch Durham hit .280 for Milwaukee as the Brewers made their playoff run.
Another option would be an equally veteran player and Milwaukee native Mark Grudzielanek. A second baseman, Grudzielanek hit .299 in 86 games for the Royals a year ago. In his 14-year career he is a .290 hitter.
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