The Brewers are wrapping up their remaining selections on the Opening Day roster. Adam McCalvy of MLB.com studies that veteran lefty Jose Quintana has consented to be optioned to Triple-A Nashville to complete build up. The 36-year-old signed halfway by spring coaching and has so far solely pitched 5 official spring frames (along with facet periods and work on the again fields). It’s a largely procedural transfer; Quintana will be a part of the large league rotation in early-to-mid April, although it’s not but clear what number of begins the Brewers need him to make in Triple-A.
Past that, the Brewers must clear no less than one 40-man spot. McCalvy additional studies that first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers has made the roster. He’d been in camp as a non-roster invitee and can take a bench spot in Milwaukee. He held an analogous position final yr. Bauers, 29, appeared in 117 video games with the Brewers and hit .199/.301/.361 with a dozen homers. He was far too strikeout-prone, fanning in 34.1% of his plate appearances, however he additionally drew walks at a stout 11.3% clip, went 13-for-14 in stolen base makes an attempt and performed 553 innings of stable protection at first base.
The Brewers non-tendered Bauers relatively than pay him a projected $2.3MM wage. He returned on a minor league deal and has mashed his approach onto the roster with a giant Cactus League efficiency. In 42 turns on the plate, he’s logged a .263/.333/.605 slash with three homers, 4 doubles and a pair of stolen bases. He’ll presumably must outpace final yr’s manufacturing to stay round for the lengthy haul, however he’s off to a pleasant begin this spring.
Proper-handers Chad Patrick and Elvin Rodriguez and utilityman Isaac Collins have all made their first Opening Day rosters as nicely. All three are already on the 40-man roster. Rule 5 southpaw Connor Thomas can also be breaking camp.
Milwaukee will open the season with solely three true beginning pitchers: Freddy Peralta, Nestor Cortes and Aaron Civale. Quintana can be a fourth as soon as he’s prepared. Righty Brandon Woodruff remains to be on the mend from 2023’s shoulder surgical procedure however may very well be an possibility within the season’s first month or in order nicely. Within the meantime, the Brewers have Rodriguez, Patrick, Thomas and veteran swingman Tyler Alexander stretched out for a number of innings to piece issues collectively on the again finish of the employees.
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