A Schelling For Your Thoughts

Hoffman still out; role in limbo

MINNEAPOLIS — Brewers manager Ken Macha opened the door Friday to veteran closer Trevor Hoffman returning in a different role when he returns to game action, saying Hoffman is “open to anything that will help the club.”

Hoffman, Macha, and pitching coach Rick Peterson talked Friday afternoon about Hoffman’s progress in what Macha characterized as a “very constructive conversation.” Hoffman and Peterson will take part in another bullpen session on Saturday, Hoffman’s second such trip to what Macha referred to as “the repair shop.”

“[Hoffman] wants to make sure that it wasn’t just go out there and do one thing and say, ‘OK, I’m fixed,'” Macha said.

While Macha did not give any specific plans for the date or role in which Hoffman would pitch when he returns, he alluded to the fact that it could be as soon as this weekend in Minneapolis.

“We’ll see how things work out,” Macha said. “But he’s open to anything that will help the club. … If he says, ‘Yes, I’m OK,’ for Sunday, then we’ll see.”