Earlier today, the Milwaukee Brewers announced a series of roster cuts and re-assignments. Among these, infielder Andruw Monasterio, who started at third base for the Brewers on Opening Day of last season, was optioned to Triple-A Nashville. As a result, Milwaukee will have their sixth different Opening Day starter at third base in as many seasons.
We have announced the following transactions: pic.twitter.com/gSjy2pgqrj
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 19, 2025
But who, exactly, will start at the hot corner has yet to be determined.
Joey Ortiz, who ended up as the primary third baseman last season, is moving over to shortstop to replace Willy Adames, who departed in free agency for the San Francisco Giants.
Monasterio’s demotion also means that the list of potential candidates to start at third base has, realistically, been narrowed down to two players.
Oliver Dunn or Caleb Durbin Could Start at Third Base for the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day
Looking at the players expected to make the Opening Day roster, three infield positions are spoken for by players that should essentially play everyday: Rhys Hoskins at first base, Brice Turang at second base, and Ortiz at shortstop. Oliver Dunn, who played in the Majors with Milwaukee for a while last season, also is penciled in as one of their third basemen.
But other infielders remaining in camp are Jake Bauers, Tyler Black, Vinny Capra, and Caleb Durbin. Of these, Durbin is the only one who can play third base and, as a switch hitter, can create a platoon with the left-handed hitting Dunn.
Capra is out of options and is having a fantastic spring, so he will likely make the Opening Day roster as well. He has played third base before, but has primarily been used at shortstop by the Brewers during Spring Training, indicating that he is not being considered an option at that position.
Milwaukee Brewers Manager Pat Murphy Raves About Caleb Durbin
Durbin, of course, was acquired by the Brewers (along with Nestor Cortes) in the trade that sent two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees. It is widely believed that Durbin was the key for Milwaukee in the trade, and that they turned down other offers for their former closer because they wanted him so badly.
And it is not hard to see why. In the most recent Arizona Fall League season, Durbin hit .312/.427/.548 with five home runs, 21 RBI, and 29 stolen bases. They play only 24 games in the AFL, and his 29 stolen bases are now a league record.
This spring, Durbin is hitting just .229/.296/.375, but he has impressed manager Pat Murphy enough to keep him in the mix for an Opening Day roster spot. After making the game-saving defensive play at third base in Milwaukee’s 5-4 win on Wednesday, he drew a great deal of praise from his new manager, who said:
“Caleb’s a good baseball player, man. He’ll figure it out. … Play second and third and be a pesky, great offensive player and make big plays at big times. He’s a big-time player, man, that’s who he is. You don’t get to be here without being the right ‘who.’ He’s the right ‘who.’ That kid knows how to play.”
So, while his batting line may not be what fans may have expected from him coming into Spring Training, Murphy has certainly seen enough to consider him a big-time player who may have a huge role on this team in 2025.
Perhaps even as the Opening Day third baseman.
More Milwaukee Brewers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- 3 Brewers Prospects Who Are Not Receiving Enough Hype
- “He’ll Figure It Out;” New Brewers Pitcher Gets Vote of Confidence from Pat Murphy
- Brewers Officially Announce Starting Shortstop for 2025
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