Milwaukee Brewers news: Christian Yelich in Monday's lineup, Brandon Woodruff's return, Luis Peña's impressive week

The Milwaukee Brewers are in the midst of their longest winning streak in over a year. After coming from behind to win the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Sunday, the Brewers swept the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies in consecutive series, giving them seven straight wins and boosting their season record to 32-28.

The team now turns its attention to a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds, for what will be their first matchup of the year. Prior to a 6:10 p.m. CT first pitch at Great American Ball Park, catch up on a few storylines that developed over the last few days.

Christian Yelich in today's lineup despite right hand contusion

In the first two games of the Phillies series, Christian Yelich racked up seven hits and five RBI, which included a multi-homer game in Friday's series opener. In his first at-bat in Sunday's series finale, Yelich was hit in the right hand by a 90 MPH sinker from Phillies' starter Ranger Suarez. After running the bases, Yelich left the game, and it was later revealed that he suffered a right-hand contusion. The Brewers were quick to X-ray Yelich's hand, and shortly after Sunday's game ended, it was reported that the tests came back negative, to which Brewers fans everywhere responded with a huge sigh of relief.

Yelich talked to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Curt Hogg after the game and described that the main thing causing him to leave Sunday's game was the swelling and his inability to grip the bat. However, the swelling must have quickly subsided because Yelich is back in the lineup for Monday's series opener in Cincinnati.

The fact that Yelich avoided a serious injury is huge news for the Brewers, as the 3x All-Star is just starting to heat up at the plate. Over his last seven games, Yelich is slashing .448/.484/.793 with three home runs and nine RBI.

Brandon Woodruff to make one more rehab start before potential return

It's been a long time coming for the Brewers’ former ace, who nearly made his long-awaited return to MLB a few weeks ago before going down with ankle tendinitis. Now Woodruff is once again nearing his return, but he is set to make one more rehab start for the Nashville Sounds before doing so.

Woody pitched last Wednesday for the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and covered an impressive seven innings on just 74 pitches. He didn't allow a run while surrendering just five hits and striking out six opposing hitters. Woodruff is scheduled to make what is hopefully his final rehab start tomorrow night at First Horizon Park in Nashville against the Gwinnett Stripers, the Atlanta Braves Triple-A affiliate. If all goes well, his return to MLB could come as early as next Monday, which ironically would come against Atlanta's major league ball club.

Then, the question becomes who does Woodruff replace in the Brewers' rotation. With Aaron Civale, Freddy Peralta, and José Quintana all out of minor league options, it essentially comes down to either Quinn Priester or Chad Patrick. As MLB.com Brewers beat reporter Adam McCalvy astutely pointed out during this week’s "Reporter Mailbag," Priester has just one minor league option remaining and has already spent 11 of the 20 days in the minor leagues required to make that last option expire, while he was in the Red Sox organization. This could give Priester the upper hand despite Patrick being the better pitcher so far this season.

Luis Peña wins Carolina League Player of the Week

The Brewers No. 9 overall prospect, Luis Peña, was on an absolute tear last week. Despite missing the first two days of the week on the injured list, Peña was awarded the Carolina League Player of the Week for his incredible display during the week of May 26-June 1. The 18-year-old infielder went 7-17 with two home runs and four RBI in five games against the Salem Red Sox.

Peña is quickly cementing himself as a legit Top-100 prospect despite not yet appearing on MLB Pipeline's list. On paper, he outshines fellow Mudcat and top overall Brewers prospect Jesús Made, and it's only a matter of time before Peña starts to receive the same recognition that Made has. With both Made and Peña following up their impressive performances in the Dominican Summer League a season ago with strong performances in Low-A, the future is blinding for the Brewers' infield.