Houston's return to DL raises questions

Tyler Houston came off the disabled list last Saturday, aggravated a foot injury Monday and was out for the season by the end of the week. That has to raise some serious questions.

First, what should the Brewers do about third base for next season? Houston basically had won the third base job with his good play early in the season.

But, he made it through only 75 games because of his precursor to a stress fracture in his foot. Houston also has been on the DL six times in his career.

So, do the Brewers hope he can remain healthy next season and play like he did before his injury? Or do they get another third baseman?

This writer would like to see GM Dean Taylor make a run at the Phillies' Scott Rolen or Rockies' Jeff Cirillo. Put your thoughts on the issue on The Brew Crew Review message board on this site.

Houston's brief stint off the DL also raises some serious questions about the team's medical staff. Stress fractures are not always easy to detect, but Houston was on the DL for several weeks.

One would think that should have been plenty of time to assess his status. Why was he allowed to come back at all in a meaningless season if he had any chance of getting hurt again?

This also is not the first time this season there has been a questionable medical call on a player. Pitcher Jeff D'Amico was told to rest when he first experienced some problems in his forearm, only to inevitably undergo surgery for a compressed nerve. Earlier surgery might have led to an earlier return.

Geoff Jenkins also was told to wait for a while before he finally was put on the DL with shoulder and hand problems.

I certainly am not trying to play doctor here. But, Taylor said in this column recently that all aspects of the team related to health would be examined this off-season. He might want to seek a second opinion on the medical staff while he is at it.

Outfielder Dave Krynzel was the Brewers Player of the Month for August while righthanded pitcher Matt Parker claimed the Pitcher of the Month title.

Krynzel, 19, batted .372 with two home runs and 11 RBI in 27 games at High Desert, of the California League in August. He also had 10 doubles, a triple, 23 runs scored, 42 hits and a .413 on base percentage. He also stole 12 bases.

Krynzel was originally drafted by the Brewers in the first round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft. He is 6-1 and 180 pounds and bats lefthanded.

Parker, 22, was 3-0 with a 3.46 ERA with one complete game in six starts for High Desert. He pitched 39 innings with 32 strikeouts for the Mavericks.

Parker is 6-3 and 210 pounds. He was acquired by the Brewers along with catcher Eliezer Alfonzo and pitcher Juan Acevedo from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for infielder Fernando Vina on June 13, 2000.

Lou Collier had three hits, including a 425-foot double to the incline in dead center at Enron Field that led to the winning run Thursday. Collier has played well since he was called up from Indianapolis (AAA) and should figure in the Brewers' plans for next season.

Pick two from Thursday's win over the Astros. Mark Loretta made a great backhand stop of a wild throw from catcher Kevin Brown on an attempted steal by Craig Biggio in the bottom of the ninth. If the throw had gone into center field, Biggio would have been on third base with one out and likely would have scored the winning run.

In the top of the 10th after Collier had doubled, he took off for third base, forcing Houston third baseman Vinny Castilla to leave his position to cover the bag. Loretta grounded a single near where Castilla had been to score Collier with what turned out to be the winner.

Allen Levrault, who admitted he wasn't mentally prepared to pitch when he took the mound at PNC Park on Sunday. He promptly gave up five runs in the first inning How can a pitcher who has such a big chance to prove he belongs in the major leagues not be mentally prepared to pitch? He has proven instead that he shouldn't be in the rotation next season.

The Brewers finished the season 1-9 at PNC Park, despite the fact the Pirates are in last place. It won't get any easier over the weekend, as the Brewers meet the Astros at Enron Field.

Jeff D'Amico will get his second start since coming off the DL on Sunday. The Brewers want to get a good look at D'Amico so they can decide what to do with him for next season.