Garrett Mitchell was supposed to be the Milwaukee Brewers’ starting center fielder, but an oblique strain has kept him sidelined since April 25. The most recent update on his rehab progress brings goods news for Brewers fans.
Thin Milwaukee Brewers Outfield Eagerly Awaiting Boost from Mitchell
Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Mitchell showed strong enough signs in his first rehab assignment game, down at the Brewers’ rookie-ball team, to get an early bump to Triple-A Nashville. There he will continue conditioning with the Sounds until deemed ready to rejoin the big-league club.
Mitchell’s expedited rehab is a positive development for the Brewers. He got off to a slow start, batting .206 with a .580 OPS in 35 games, but having him back will give them a lot more flexibility in the outfield. Jackson Chourio, who has been holding down center field in Mitchell’s absence, will be able to resume his spot in left field. A plus defender in the corner outfield positions as a rookie, Chourio has graded out below average playing mostly center this season.
Mitchell has played very well out there in parts of four seasons with Milwaukee. He got his first real shot at playing time in 2024, hitting eight homeruns with an .812 OPS in 196 at bats. In a limited role, he posted an impressive 2.0 Wins Above Replacement. A player of promising value, Mitchell has amassed a 3.5 WAR in 443 career plate appearances.
Mitchell’s Return Will Necessitate Making Room on the Roster
With Mitchell out of the lineup, the Brewers have relied on Isaac Collins to man left field, with Sal Frelick having a fantastic year in right. Collins has been serviceable, playing solid defense, drawing walks and stealing seven bases, but he isn’t the kind of player you want to count on every day.
Christian Yelich can also play left in a pinch, but he is a minus defensively and the team wants to protect his bat from injury risk. Even with Mitchell’s injured list stint, they have mostly limited Yelich to DH. He’s started six of 67 games in the field this season.
Inserting Mitchell back in the starting lineup will improve both the team’s depth and its upside. Coming into the season, the Brewers were looking forward to a full season of his above average defense and pop at the plate.
His return will require demoting one of the outfielders currently on the 26-man roster. With Collins’ capable play, early-season trade acquisition Daz Cameron seems a prime candidate for the ticket down to Nashville.
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