A night after driving in five runs, reserve catcher Mike Rivera got on base four times, as the Brewers routed the Astros 11-2 at home.

Our View: With a .246 average and 11 RBI, he's still not someone to keep an eye on, but is someone to be happy for.

Rivera went 2-for-4 with two homers and five RBI in Thursday's win over the Padres.

Spin: These were the first two homers of the season for Rivera. He's flashed some hitting ability at times in a career that's consisted mostly of being a backup, and with the light-hitting Jason Kendall the only man ahead of him on the depth chart, Rivera might get the chance to hit his way into late-season relevance in NL-only leagues.Thu, Aug 13

After homering twice to beat the Padres Thursday, catcher Mike Rivera will draw a second start Friday. Rivera has been the Brewers' backup catcher all year long but only garnered 63 at-bats before Thursday. His strong showing comes at a time where the Brewers' offense is trying to click, so he'll be back in there at the expense of Jason Kendall. If he has another strong game, he could start eating into Kendall's playing time.Source: MLB.com Related: Jason Kendall

Catalanotto filed for free agency on Thursday.

Spin: Catalanotto filled in nicely as a bench player for the Brewers in 2009 and will be looking for a similar role next season.Fri, Nov 6

The Associated Press reports Milwaukee Brewers OF Frank Catalanotto (personal) left the team to attend a funeral and will miss the final series of the season.

Ryan Braun is not in the Brewers' lineup for their Labor Day match-up with the Cardinals on Monday. Frank Catalanotto will man left field in Braun's absence.

Our View: This looks like a routine day-off for Braun, as we haven't heard anything about an injury. Braun is having yet another phenomenal season, and he looks to be a fantasy force for years to come.

Craig Counsell underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee Tuesday, according to beat writer Adam McCalvy's twitter page.

Our View: The club considered the procedure routine. The 39-year-old vet performed well with Milwaukee in 2009, as he held a .285 average over 404 at-bats. He will become a free agent in the offseason.

Craig Counsell underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee on Tuesday. The procedure was deemed "routine" by the team and he is expected to be ready in time for spring training. An impending free-agent, Counsell performed well in his heaviest workload since 2005, batting .285/.357/.408 with four homers, 31 RBI and 61 runs scored. The 39-year-old shouldn't have any trouble finding a taker during the offseason.Source: Adam McCalvy on Twitter

Counsell (knee) will undergo arthroscopic surgery to clean out torn meniscus in his right knee, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.

Spin: He played through the injury this season while seeing more playing time than expected with injuries to Rickie Weeks and Bill Hall. Counsell hit .285 with four homers and 39 RBI for the Brewers in 2009, but he's a free agent this winter and it's unclear if he'll be retained.Tue, Oct 6

Brewers GM Doug Melvin has Weeks (wrist) penciled in as the club's starting second baseman heading into the 2010 season, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Spin: Weeks is expected to be fully recovered from his wrist injury by the time spring training rolls around. Melvin's declaration makes it unlikely that the Brewers would also carry Felipe Lopez, who was acquired mid-season from the Diamondbacks and is now a free agent, on the 2010 roster. Weeks was off to an excellent start in 2009 before a torn tendon sheath in his wrist derailed his season.Fri, Oct 9

During a season-ending press conference at Miller Park, GM Doug Melvin named Rickie Weeks as the Brewers' starting second baseman in 2010. "We view Rickie as our second baseman at this point," said Melvin. And they should, since Felipe Lopez is an impending free-agent and the Brewers have significant holes to fill in their rotation. During Friday's press conference, Melvin announced that he hopes to acquire two starting pitchers during the offseason. With that in mind, he hopes that resigning Trevor Hoffman will convince some free agent starters to come to Milwaukee.Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Related: Felipe Lopez

During a season-ending press conference at Miller Park, general manager Doug Melvin named Rickie Weeks as the team's starting second baseman in 2010. "We view Rickie as our second baseman at this point," said Melvin. And they should, since Felipe Lopez is an impending free-agent and the Brewers have significant holes to fill in their rotation. During Friday's press conference, Melvin announced that he hopes to acquire two starting pitchers during the offseason. With that in mind, he hopes that resigning Trevor Hoffman will convince some free agent starters to come to Milwaukee.Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Related: Felipe Lopez

News: From The Sports Xchange notes: 3B Mat Gamel hasn't swung the bat in the majors (.236 in 123 at-bats) as either he or the team expected from one of the top prospects in the system. But Gamel had a moment to smile Sunday when he socked a three-run homer off Philadelphia RHP Joe Blanton after entering the game in a double-switch. "I've been trying to go up there and relax, not put so much pressure on myself," said Gamel.

Analysis: Gamel has pop in his bat, but he will have to head to spring training to fight for at-bats and a starting job. Consider him a sleeper in deeper leagues, but we have to figure he will merely be a low-end mixed-league option to open the season. There is 20-plus homer power here, though

This hasn't been Gamel's year, as the rookie is fielding just a .236 batting average and a .415 slugging percentage. Still, he's been one of the more notable prospects in Milwaukee's farm system the last couple years, so the Brewers should be able to find a regular spot for him next year. He's an interesting keeper option for 2010.

Mat Gamel smacked a three-run homer against the Phillies on Sunday but the Brewers still lost the game 6-5. Gamel entered in the sixth to play third, then belted his home run off starter Joe Blanton in the bottom of that inning. Not surprisingly, Gamel also made an error in the contest. That the Brewers have given him just one start in September is quite curious given they're out of the race, have an opening in the lineup, and because they need to figure out where Gamel fits into their future plans defensively. Due to his slow rookie campaign and defensive questions he'll likely be undervalued next season.

The Milwaukee Brewers finally gave J.J. Hardy the change of scenery he had been expecting and reunited the unhappy shortstop with an old friend in the process.

John Lowe, of the Detroit Free Press, reports the Detroit Tigers were not involved in trade talks for Minnesota Twins SS J.J. Hardy before he landed on the Twins Friday, Nov. 6.

The Milwaukee Brewers finally gave J.J. Hardy the change of scenery he had been expecting and reunited the unhappy shortstop with an old friend in the process.

Catalanotto filed for free agency on Thursday.

Spin: Catalanotto filled in nicely as a bench player for the Brewers in 2009 and will be looking for a similar role next season.Fri, Nov 6

The Associated Press reports Milwaukee Brewers OF Frank Catalanotto (personal) left the team to attend a funeral and will miss the final series of the season.

Ryan Braun is not in the Brewers' lineup for their Labor Day match-up with the Cardinals on Monday. Frank Catalanotto will man left field in Braun's absence.

Our View: This looks like a routine day-off for Braun, as we haven't heard anything about an injury. Braun is having yet another phenomenal season, and he looks to be a fantasy force for years to come.

Patterson filed for free agency on Thursday.

Spin: Patterson may have kept his career going for one more season by hitting .331/.366/.597 in 29 games for Triple-A Nashville at the end of last season. He'll likely need to sign a minor league contract with a club this offseason.Fri, Nov 6

The Associated Press reports Milwaukee Brewers OF Mike Cameron, OF Frank Catalanotto, C Jason Kendall, 2B Felipe Lopez and OF Corey Patterson filed for free agency Thursday, Nov. 5.

Making his first start for the Brewers, Corey Patterson went 0-for-4 as a leadoff hitter in Monday's loss. Ken Macha isn't even trying at this point. For the second game in a row, he never bothered pinch-hitting for a weak-hitting regular in a close game, and going with Patterson as a leadoff man suggests that he either has no idea how runs are scored or he simply doesn't care any longer.

Prince Fielder homered twice and Jody Gerut's two-out infield hit drove in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning as the Milwaukee Brewers sent the St. Louis Cardinals scuffling to the postseason with a 9-7 victory on Sunday.

Gerut has quietly put together a very solid month of September and is earning increasing playing time in Milwaukee's outfield. He's hitting .326 (16-for-49) this month, with three homers and nine RBIs, and a .377 on-base percentage. Those numbers could conceivably put him into the mix for Milwaukee's starting center field job in 2010 if Mike Cameron moves on, but Gerut is probably best cast as a fourth outfielder. For the moment, though, he looks like a nice late-season booster in deeper NL-only leagues.

News: Milwaukee OF Jody Gerut hit his ninth home run of the season on Wednesday in a 3-2 win over the Cubs. He went 1 for 4 in the game with the homer being his lone hit. His batting average went up slightly to .237 with the performance.

Analysis: Gerut is really nothing more than a low-end option reserved for NL-only formats at this point in his career

Both Counsell, who is a free agent, and Looper, whose contract includes a mutual option for 2010, played through knee pain all season. Counsell mulled surgery at the end of Spring Training but ultimately decided against it. Looper surrendered a Major League-worst 39 home runs this season and wondered aloud during the season's final weekend whether his persistent knee pain played a role. It's unclear whether either player will available by Spring Training.

Braden Looper underwent surgery Tuesday to repair the meniscus in his right knee, according to beat writer Adam McCalvey's twitter page.

Our View: The Brewers called his surgery routine. Looper claimed 14 wins this season, but it is uncertain if the team will exercise his $6MM option for 2010.

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports that Braden Looper underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee on Tuesday. The surgery was called "routine" by the team. Looper earned a career-high 14 wins in 2009, but his ERA jumped to 5.22, the highest since his rookie season in 1998. The Brewers hold a $6 million option on him for 2010, but it is unclear whether they will exercise it.Source: Adam McCalvy on Twitter

The Brewers have decided to shut Bush down for the season.

Spin: Bush was slated to start on Saturday, but the Brewers felt it was best if he shut things down for the season due to a fatigued arm. Bush hurt his triceps when he was hit by a pitch early in the season and never fully recovered. The Brewers hope that the offseason will heal him.Thu, Oct 1

Bush said he's still feeling arm fatigue and is worried about the risk associated with making one more start. Thus ends a very frustrating season for Bush, who has been a useful back-of-the-rotation type in deeper NL-only leagues over the last three years, but never got healthy enough to help this season. Bush's 6.38 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and .294 BAA were all the worst marks of his career.

Dave Bush (triceps) will likely be shut down for the season. He will probably skip his start on Saturday. "It's been a challenge," Bush said. "What you don't want to do is go out and do something stupid on Saturday and get myself in a position where it could affect me beyond that." Bush spent two months on the disabled list earlier this season with the triceps injury. Carlos Villanueva is one option to make Saturday's start.Source: MLB.com Related: Carlos Villanueva

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Jeff Suppan should pitch Sunday's season finale for the Brewers.

Our View: Suppan would be making his 30th start, but is expected to be replaced by Chris Narveson early in the game. Suppan carries a poor 5.30 ERA and 1.70 ERA.

News: With Tuesday's game going into extra innings, Milwaukee SP Chris Narveson received a no decision for his start against the Rockies. Narveson gave up three runs on five hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out four. His ERA is 4.01 on the year.

Analysis: Narveson has been fantastic of late with three straight solid starts. He struck out 10 in his last appearance before Tuesday and has allowed just five runs over his last 15 2/3 innings. He gets one more start on Sunday at St. Louis and is basically pitching for a spot in the rotation next year

The Arlington Heights Daily Herald reports Milwaukee Brewers SP Chris Narveson struck out 10 batters Wednesday, Sept. 23, as his team scored a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Brewers re-signed RHP Trevor Hoffman to a one-year, $7.5 million contract. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that the deal also includes a mutual $7 million option for 2011 with a $500,000 buyout. There are also incentives that could push the total value of the deal to $16.5 million depending on how many games Hoffman saves in 2010. Hoffman, who turns 42 on Tuesday, went 37-for-41 in save opportunities with a 1.83 ERA in 2009.

Updating a previous report, Tom Haudricourt, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports Milwaukee Brewers RP Trevor Hoffman could earn as much as $8.5 million next season if he reaches all of his incentives for games finished, according to a source familiar with the talks. The buyout of his 2011 option is $500,000 but increases to $1 million if he finishes 44 games next year.

Reuters - All-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman will stay at the Milwaukee Brewers next season on a one-year deal, Major League Baseball website mlb.com reported on Monday.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt reports Milwaukee Brewers RP Todd Coffey has earned $200,000 in bonuses for appearances in his contract on top of his $800,000 salary.

The Associated Press reports that Milwaukee Brewers RP Todd Coffey allowed one run on one hit over two innings of work Friday, Sept. 4, against the San Francisco Giants. He suffered the loss, falling to 4-4 on the season.

Coffey gave up a three-run go-ahead homer to Matt Holliday in Tuesday's loss to the Cardinals.

Spin: Coffey's slump continues - he's given up four homers in his last five outings. The homer came after an intentional walk to Albert Pujols.Tue, Sep 1

Seth McClung is frustrated with his recent inactivity and hinted he may not be a Brewer after the year. McClung had a fantastic start to the season out of the bullpen, but his numbers took a turn for the worse when he was placed in the rotation midseason. Although he's returned to the bullpen since, he hasn't pitched in the last nine days. He put on his Twitter account that "the writing is on the wall." Arbitration-eligible, McClung would likely find some interest in his services should the Brewers opt to drop the right-hander. The 28-year old is making $1.7 million on the year, far too much for a middle reliever low on the totem pole.Source: MLBlogs.com

Confirming previous reports, the Milwaukee Brewers have activated P Seth McClung (elbow) from the 15-day disabled list, according to USAToday.com.

News: The Brewers activated RP Seth McClung from the 15-day disabled list prior to Saturday's win over the Astros. McClung had been sidelined since July 25 with a sprained right elbow.

Analysis: McClung is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of leagues that use true middle men

News: Brewers RHP Chris Smith, who was struck in the face by a batted ball Thursday and presumed out for the season, appeared in the finale Sunday at St. Louis. He allowed two runs on two hits and one walk in one inning.

Analysis: Smith will be nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for NL-only leagues in 2010

Updating previous reports, Brewers.MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports Milwaukee Brewers RP Chris Smith (face) is OK and didn't lose any teeth after being hit in the mouth with a comebacker Thursday, Oct. 1.

Smith left Thursday's game against the Rockies after being struck in the face by a bouncer off the bat of Eric Young Jr. in the eighth inning, the Associated Press reports.

Spin: Smith held a towel to his mouth and nose as he walked off the field. It would be a surprise to see him again this year.Thu, Oct 1

Milwaukee Brewers RP Claudio Vargas picked up his first win of the season Saturday, Aug. 29, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to The Associated Press. In one scoreless inning of work, he allowed one hit and recorded one strikeout.

News: Claudio Vargas pitched a scoreless inning for Milwaukee on Saturday night, helping the Brewers to their 20th straight win over the Pirates in Miller Park, beating Pittsburgh 7-3 on Saturday night. Vargas was the starter when Milwaukee beat Pittsburgh on May 4, 2007.

Analysis: Vargas is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men at this point. He could be considered for a spot start, but he would be a high-risk option

Houston Astros OF Carlos Lee hit his 300th career home run Saturday, Aug. 8, against Milwaukee Brewers P Claudio Vargas, making him the first Panama-born player to reach that mark, according to The Associated Press. The Astros also became the first team to have three players reach 300 home runs in the same season, with C Ivan Rodriguez and 1B Lance Berkman accomplishing the feat earlier this year.

CBSSports.com reports the Milwaukee Brewers moved RP David Riske (elbow) to the 60-day disabled list Thursday, June 4.

News: The Milwaukee Brewers moved reliever David Riske to the 60-day DL on Thursday.

Analysis: Riske had Tommy John surgery and is out for this season and half of next. Cut and ignore the middle reliever in all formats

Brewers transferred RHP David Riske to the 60-day disabled list. Riske decided to undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Monday and probably won't return until June or July of 2010. The 32-year-old had allowed two earned runs in one inning of work this season.