NL CENTRAL NOTES

Brewers

Ryan Braun was booed every time he came to the plate in Chicago vs. the Cubs and heard chants of “Steroids! Steroids!” and “You’re a cheater!” He was suspended for the final 65 games of last season for violating the league’s anti-drug agreement. … Matt Garza, placed on the DL on Aug. 5 for a left rib cage muscle strain, won’t start throwing again until he is “completely pain free,” manager Ron Roenicke said. He added that Garza will likely need more than 15 days to return.

Cardinals

The Cardinals finished their interleague schedule at 8-12, mostly against teams from the AL East. … RHP Shelby Miller (8-9), who was seeking his 25th career victory Monday, allowed five runs in five innings for the loss. “I made some pitches, but when it came down to the best hitter on their team I threw two of the worst pitches I’ve probably thrown all night,” Miller said. … Adam Wainwright hasn’t been as formidable since his All-Star comeuppance, going into Tuesday’s start with a 4.88 ERA post break.

Cubs

Rookie CF Arismendy Alcantara has been struggling recently. “I think he’s learning how big league pitchers are adjusting to him,” manager Rick Renteria said. “I think they’re attacking him in different ways and I think that he’s going to continue to adjust, he’s got the skill set to adjust.”

Pirates

CF Andrew McCutchen (broken rib) was placed on the 15-day DL last week. The move is retroactive to Aug. 4. General manager Neal Huntington called McCutchen’s progress “remarkable” and said the next challenge is to get him back to playing fearless in the outfield at 100 percent. “He’s getting after it,” Huntington said. “Is he game-ready? No. But the next step will be to determine how quickly he can be game-ready. We’re certainly not babying him and he’s not babying himself.” McCutchen suffered an avulsion fracture of the costochondral cartilage of the 11th rib, which Huntington referred to as a torque-based injury.

Reds

Johnny Cueto, nicknamed “Johnny Beisbol” by his teammates, is 9-1 in his last 10 decisions. … Aroldis Chapman sent oohs through the crowd last week with his fastball. Eighteen of his 23 pitches came in at triple digits, with three of them hitting 103 mph. He extended his league record for a reliever to 48 consecutive appearances with a strikeout. … Raisell Iglesias was signed by the Reds on June 27 to a seven-year contract. He was in Cincinnat for the first time last week. Current Reds, Cuban natives, Brayan Pena and Chapman encouraged Iglesias to sign with Cincinnati, according to the 24-year old RHP.

Compiled by Rick Crotts from wire reports.

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