The Milwaukee Brewers, at 6-2, are looking to create some space in the National League Central Division early in the season. They are set to take on the Cincinnati Reds (5-4) in a four game series on the road. Milwaukee is currently in second place in the division, trailing the 8-2 Pittsburgh Pirates by one game. Craig Counsell’s Chicago Cubs are in third with a record of 6-3.
Even though it is early in the season, the Brewers are already dealing with a bit of an injury bug. Wade Miley suffered an injury during Spring Training, but is expected to come off the IL and start on Wednesday, per Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin. Devin Williams is out with stress fractures in his back and Trevor Megill is dealing with a concussion.
The Cincinnati Reds Lose Star Second Baseman Jonathan India to an Injury During Batting Practice
It appears that the Reds, too, may have suffered a bit of a concerning injury right before today’s game. According to Cincinnati Reds reporter Caleb Noe, Jonathan India (the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year) was injured on a line drive hit during batting practice.
Noe later shared this video on X (formerly Twitter):
I heard the crack of a bat, followed by a scream from Jonathan India (in apparent pain) who had been standing in foul territory, near the #Reds dugout.
This is what I looked over and saw, & what manager David Bell said, just minutes later:
“I’ve got to go see how he’s doing as… https://t.co/NfB67UTQbu pic.twitter.com/fU8S2aLYL7
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) April 8, 2024
The Reds are replacing India at second base with Santiago Espinal, who is 1-12 to start the year. Espinal was an All-Star in 2022 with the Toronto Blue Jays when he hit .267/.322/.370 with seven home runs and 51 RBI.
Right fielder Stuart Fairchild will hit leadoff for the Reds, which is India’s typical spot in the batting order.
The Milwaukee Brewers Have an Exciting Second Baseman of Their Own
Speaking of second basemen, the Brewers have one of the most exciting players of the early season manning the position for them. After a disappointing 2023 season as a rookie, Brice Turang is taking the “quantum leap” that manager Pat Murphy said he expected him to take this season.
Through eight games, Turang leads all of Major League Baseball with seven stolen bases. He is also hitting a blazing .360/.414/.440. He is also playing such stellar defense that many fans are already declaring him a candidate for a Gold Glove Award.
If Turang does end up with a Gold Glove, he will be the first Brewers second baseman to win one.
Can Milwaukee Brewers Star Christian Yelich Continue His Dominance Against the Cincinnati Reds?
Christian Yelich has hit well throughout his career against the Reds. In 116 games, the 2018 NL MVP is hitting .279/.384/.522 with 23 home runs against Cincinnati.
So far this season, the Brewers’ left fielder is hitting .308/.379/.654 with three home runs and four RBI.
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