Following are five points to ponder today after watching the Milwaukee Brewers drop a 6-1 decision to St. Louis in the opener of their three-game series Tuesday night on FSN.
*** Outfielder Gabe Kapler was scratched from the starting lineup with a bruised right shoulder after he ran into an outfield wall while shagging fly balls during batting practice at Busch Stadium. The Brewers played it safe and kept him on the bench for the evening. Gabe Gross started instead, going hitless in four at bats. Kapler leads the Crew in batting (.423) and RBI (11) so his presence was missed.
*** Left fielder Ryan Braun got back-to-back days off, sitting out Tuesday's game following Monday's off day. But don't read anything into it. He will be back in the lineup tonight. Braun is in a 3-for-25 funk although manger Ned Yost finally decided Sunday to flip-flop him with Prince Fielder in the lineup. Braun is back batting third, while Fielder (who drew four walks in four plate appearances Tuesday) is back hitting cleanup. Braun has shown a lack of patience at the plate with 11 strikeouts and zero walks during his slump. Could he be a victim of a double whammy -- the sophomore jinx and SI jinx, after being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated? We'll see.
*** The Brewers announced Tuesday they had agreed with RHP Jeff Weaver on a minor-league contract.  He will undergo a physical today and sign his contract and then report to Arizona in preparation to join Triple-A Nashville at a later date. While he provides some veteran insurance for the Brewers, Weaver can declare free agency if he is not called up to the Major Leagues by June. Weaver, who turns 32 in August, was 7-13 with a 6.20 ERA in 27 starts for Seattle in 2007 after signing as a free agent with the Mariners. In 2006, he was 3-2 with a 2.92 ERA in five starts during the postseason for St. Louis during its run to the World Series title.
*** After making his third rehab start for Triple A Nashville, RHP Yovani Gallardo has rejoined the Brewers in St. Louis. He is tentatively slated to get his first start on Sunday at the earliest although the club may wait until returning home on Monday from its current road trip. Sunday would be Dave Bush's turn in the rotation. But don't expect Yost to tip his hand on who will be removed for Gallardo until he has to. So Yost will most likely be vague all week about the 22-year-old's return.  However, expect Gallardo to be back in the rotation no later than early next week.
*** If Dave Bush is the odd-man out of the rotation, he will most likely end up in the bullpen. He has had some closing experience and seems better suited for short stints of two, three or four innings. In his three starts, he hasn't lasted past the sixth inning. In the final inning of his first two appearances, Bush allowed six runs. He allowed two runs in the fifth inning on Tuesday.