Rickie

Weeks

Weeks joins Milwaukee manager’s Pat Murphy’s coaching staff for the 2024 season. He spent 14 years in the majors, including an 11-year sting with the Brewers from 2003 to 2014. It’s the 41-year-old former big leaguers first coaching gig since retiring back in 2017.

The injury prevented Weeeks from qualifying in the rate categories or Weeks would have topped the circuit in both OBP and slugging percentage. The Brewers have to be thrilled with the way he played, though they’ll still pencil him in for a full season in Triple-A next year.

They’ll be joined by RHP Mike Jones, RHP Dennis Sarfate, OF Brad Nelson, OF Tony Gwynn Jr. and, once healthy, LHP Manny Parra. SS J.J. Hardy, OF Corey Hart, OF David Krynzel, LHP Jorge de la Rosa and RHP Ben Hendrickson, RHP Mike Adams and RHP Pedro Liriano were assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Weeks could be starting in Milwaukee by the end of the season.

Weeks seems to be day-to-day.

Weeks is batting a mediocre .255 with six homers, 34 RBI and a .368 on-base percentage for Double-A Huntsville this season, and according to GM Doug Melvin won’t be getting a September callup. Joining him in Arizona will be Dave Krynzel and four pitchers. Other Milwaukee prospects Prince Fielder and Corey Hart won’t be in the AFL but want to play winter ball.

Weeks, who slumped during the second half of July, is 9-for-27 this month.

Weeks entered with just two extra-base hits -- both doubles -- in his previous 17 games. He was making his first start in the leadoff spot with Brady Clark out tonight.

Weeks was moved into the leadoff spot five days ago when Brady Clark went down with an injury and has gone 6-for-21 with a walk, three homers, and a stolen base since.

“It’s hurting, so I didn’t want to make it worse,” Weeks said. “We had to hold off on the next step, and that’s fine. I’m pretty much waiting to see what the doctor says. We’ll go from there.” Weeks is probably going to need surgery on the wrist, though there’s still some chance that he’ll be able to postpone until after the season. “I’m conditioning myself not to expect him to come back,” GM Doug Melvin said. “If he comes back, it’s great. You never know -- things can change. But we have seven weeks left.”