By Gregg Hoffmann Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published May 16, 2002 at 5:04 AM

Pitcher Nick Neugebauer is starting to look a lot like Jeff D'Amico, who spent most of his years with the Brewers on the injured list.

Neugebauer had to shut down a bullpen session after only 15 pitches Wednesday night and has been put the DL for the second time in his short career. Brian Mallette will be brought back from Indianapolis to take Neugebauer's spot on the roster.

"I felt a burning sensation at the top of my shoulder," Neugebauer said shortly after his throwing session before the Brewers game with the Reds. "There is still something there. I'll probably go for a MRI (Thursday) and then we'll make decisions after that."

You might remember that Neugebauer, who long has been considered the top prospect in the Brewers' system, made a highly heralded debut last season and then went on the DL after only inning of his second start. He had rotator surgery and got off to a delayed start this spring because of continued soreness.

This is a 21-year-old kid, who was damaged goods when the Brewers drafted him. As a high school pitcher he had arm problems. That's why the Brewers could pick him in the second round. J.M. Gold, the Brewers' first round pick that year, has never made it to the majors because of arm problems.

D'Amico, like Neugebauer, also had arm problems as a young player. Also like Neugebauer, when he was able to pitch he was a good one. But, D'Amico spent more time on the DL than pitching, and eventually had to be used as an add-on in the trade that included Jeromy Burnitz and Glendon Rusch as principals.

You hate to give up on a 21-year-old guy with great potential, but what actual evidence is there to support the idea that Neugebauer will suddenly become healthy? Plus, Nelson Figueroa, who will come off the DL next week, showed a lot of potential before he sprained his ankle.

The Brewers might want to get Neugebauer healthy this time and then deal him, while they can still get something in return. You'd hate to see him become nothing but an add-on in some other deal a few years from now.

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GM Rumors

This columnist isn't the only one putting some heat on GM Dean Taylor these days. At least one national publication has reported that Dan Duquette, former Brewers' front office exec and former GM at Montreal and Boston, is on a list of possible replacements for Taylor.

Taylor has one more year left on his contract after this season, so the rumor might be premature.

Up and Down Alex

Manager Jerry Royster, and Davey Lopes before him, has maintained that Alex Sanchez's speed brings another dimension to the Brewers' attack. Sanchez did have a great series in Chicago, but he makes practically a mistake per game — as seen with some fielding misplays Monday and base running gaffes Tuesday.

Meanwhile, when Sanchez plays center regularly, Alex Ochoa and Matt Stairs, who have proven themselves in the big leagues, sit most nights. You'd especially like to see Ochoa get more playing time. He was the club's hottest hitter earlier this season.

Da' Cubs Again

The Brewers face the Chicago Cubs again this coming weekend, this time at Miller Park. After a Brewers' sweep at Wrigley Field last weekend, you can bet the Cubs will be looking for revenge.

Glendon Rusch will face the Cubs' Matt Clement Friday night. On Saturday night, Jon Lieber will start for the Cubs against Jose Cabrera, who will take Neugebauer's spot in the rotation. Ruben Quevedo will face Kerry Wood on Sunday afternoon.

Wall of Fame

The newest members of the Miller Park Wall of Fame include Negro Leaguers Gordon Hopkins and Jesse Mitchell, All-American Girls players Annastasia Batikis and Ellen Tronnier and Wisconsin-born Major Leaguers Jerry Augustine and Paul Wagner.

The Brewers held an induction ceremony Wednesday afternoon and honored the inductees before Wednesday night's game with the Reds.

Braves Monument

A monument to the Milwaukee Braves will be dedicated next Wednesday, May 22, outside Helfaer Field, the Little League and softball diamond that will open on the former site of County Stadium.

Johnny Logan, Bob Uecker, Andy Pafko and other former Braves will be part of a ceremony before the Brewers game with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Players of the Week

Richie Sexson gets the nod after hitting over .300 with three homers, including a grand slam. Sanchez also had a good week at the plate, but made those defensive and base running mistakes.

Plays of the Week

It was an up and down week. Certainly the grand slams by Raul Casanova and Sexson in Wrigley stand out. So does Eric Young's body block of Reds' catcher Corky Miller Tuesday night.

But, the play that still typifies how the Brewers play too often came in the eighth Tuesday when Jenkins and Young got caught in rundowns to kill a potential rally.

Royster said the play was planned, but "their pitcher (Scott Williamson) made a good play." It's amazing how often that happens to the Brewers.

Goats of the Week

Jose Hernandez had some big hits during the week, but his error that led to four Reds' runs Tuesday earns him at least one goat horn for the week.

Despite what Royster said, Jenkins and Young messed up a key play on Tuesday night. Give them a horn each.

Gregg Hoffmann writes The Brew Crew Review on Thursdays and The Milwaukee Sports Buzz on Mondays for OMC.

Gregg Hoffmann Special to OnMilwaukee.com
Gregg Hoffmann is a veteran journalist, author and publisher of Midwest Diamond Report and Old School Collectibles Web sites. Hoffmann, a retired senior lecturer in journalism at UWM, writes The State Sports Buzz and Beyond Milwaukee on a monthly basis for OMC.