Brewers Sunday: Gomez out of lineup with probable food poisoning
CHICAGO -- Carlos Gomez can't seem to catch a break. Just as the center fielder's back was feeling well enough to allow him to return to Milwaukee's lineup, Gomez was unable to play Sunday due to an illness.
"I'm fine with my back," Gomez said. "Poisoned food or something like that. I be throwing up and diarrhea. I'm not playing because it is something different (than the back). I was up all night throwing up and diarrhea. I don't feel good now. The trainer said we will wait to see the doctor."
Gomez has yet to play since coming out of Tuesday night's game due to tightness in his back. After electing to serve his three-game suspension, Gomez was eligible to return Saturday but was a late scratch from the lineup.
He took batting practice prior to Saturday afternoon's game but the Brewers elected to play it safe with the hopes of Gomez starting Sunday's series finale at Wrigley Field.
"Nice timing," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said of Gomez's illness. "He was sick last night I guess and early this morning. I'm hoping more food than it is flu because we don't need the flu going around."
Gomez said he was pleased with the way batting practice went Saturday and felt good swinging the bat.
"I hit the ball good," Gomez said. "I hit the ball out and power. My manager made the decision to give me another day."
Henderson takes step: Brewers reliever Jim Henderson threw a bullpen Sunday for the first time since going on the disabled list on May 2 with right shoulder inflammation.
Henderson threw both his fastball and slider in a session that lasted between 20 and 25 pitches. The plan is to have the right-hander throw another bullpen session in the coming days before heading out on a rehab assignment.
"It went well. Pain-free," Henderson said. "It was awkward just not being on the mound for 12 days or whatever it's been. Mechanically, probably just need to clean up some things.
"Didn't feel any pain on the slider, which is what I was feeling for. So that was a positive."
The Brewers will base whether Henderson needs two days or just one day between bullpen sessions on how he feels Monday.
Ramirez update: Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez played catch on the field Sunday and will attempt to do some light running either Monday or Tuesday when Milwaukee is in Atlanta.
Ramirez has been unable to do anything baseball related since going on the disabled list May 13 with a strained left hamstring.
"I'll have a better idea after I run," Ramirez said of a potential timetable for his return." That's the main thing.
"We were going to do some here but it's too cold, and we didn't want to take a chance with the cold weather. Atlanta's going to be nice and hot and we're going to do some baseball stuff there."
The Brewers are expected to be cautious with Ramirez's return to prevent the injury from reoccurring and causing the veteran third baseman to miss an extended period of time the second time around.
"He's extending out when he's walking and not feeling it, so that's good," Roenicke said. "So hopefully this thing isn't too long."
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