Filling the void: Maldonado, Centeno aim to step up in Lucroy's absence
MILWAUKEE -- Neither Martin Maldonado nor Juan Centeno are fond of the circumstances surrounding their new roles with the Milwaukee Brewers, but injury provides opportunity in sports.
With Jonathan Lucroy expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks with a fractured left big toe, Maldonado will assume primary catching duties with Centeno up from Triple-A Colorado Springs to serve as the backup.
"It always helps when you play more," Maldonado said. "At the same time, it's hard to see a teammate go down like that, especially a guy who has been battling through a rough start. He's been out there every single day, trying to get better and to get hurt like that, that's bad for a guy like that."
This won't be the first time an injury to Lucroy has allowed Maldonado to play every day. The 28-year-old came up in May 2012 and hit .275 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 49 games and 38 starts over the two months Lucroy missed due to a fractured right hand.
Known as a fine defensive catcher, Maldonado has struggled offensively when his playing time has been irregular.
"When he's played more regularly he's done better," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "Hopefully that will stay true."
Signed to a two-year, $1.95 million deal this past offseason, Maldonado entered Tuesday's game against Cincinnati hitless in nine at-bats on the season. Maldonado has started just 69 games over the past two seasons due to Lucroy's emergence as one of the best catchers in baseball. Increased playing time will provide him an opportunity to prove he's capable of being a starting catcher in the major leagues.
"I thought (I can be an everyday catcher), but I know my role here," Maldonado said. "We have one of the best catchers in the league. He's a guy that can do both things -- catch and hit, too. You never are expecting this, this early in the season, especially after he came back from the hamstring injury fast enough to be ready for Opening Day.
"You just have to go out there and try to do your best and be prepared every day and get on the same page with the pitchers. Just one day at a time."
Centeno was catching for Colorado Springs in Nashville on Monday when he received word of his promotion during the sixth inning of the Sky Sox's 11-5 loss to the Sounds.
"They told me when I was coming out of the game that I was coming up," Centeno said. "I don't like why I'm coming up, but I hope he gets better. I'll just do my job here."
Claimed off waivers from the New York Mets in October, Centeno is a career .278 hitter in the minor leagues. Centeno has thrown out 41 percent of attempted base stealers in the minors and was named as the best defensive catcher in the Pacific Coast League by Baseball American following the 2014 season.
Juan Centeno
Centeno split 2014 between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas, hitting .289 with a home run and 25 RBI between the two teams.
The native of Arecibo, Puerto Rico feels the experience of 14 big-league games with the Mets over the 2013 and 2014 seasons will help him adapt to his new role with the Brewers.
"It helps a lot," Centeno said. "You see much better hitters up here. Much better pitchers who know how to call a game. It is a little bit easier to catch a game."
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