After injuring his hamstring Thursday, Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz has been placed on the 10-day injured list with what is being termed a low grade strain. To fill the opening on the active roster, the team is calling up Jake Bauers from his rehab stint at Triple-A Nashville, says beat reporter Curt Hogg.
Out for over a month, Bauers will be the odd man out at first base once Rhys Hoskins completes his own rehab assignment. He can play outfield too, but when Jackson Chourio returns, he will likely be out of a job. Although Bauers’ fate might already be sealed, this is his chance to at least create a difficult decision once everyone is back healthy.
Bauers gets last stab at making case for Milwaukee Brewers roster spot
Likely hindered by his shoulder injury, Bauers had been slumping for weeks before officially going out. His solid start dissipated as his season average fell to .197 thanks to a 5-48 stretch in June and July. If he wants any shot at making the playoff roster – he might be doomed anyway – he’ll have to maximize whatever opportunities he gets while regulars remain out.
If he doesn’t, he will be the first to go when Hoskins is ready to return.
Really, injuries represent Bauers’ only avenue to playing time, and even then, he will face competition. Trade pickup Brandon Lockridge is an ideal defensive replacement and pinch runner off the bench. In the postseason especially, those players have value. Even with Chourio out, hat’s one less outfield spot up for grabs.
Over at first base, Vaughn could use a day off here and there, but that won’t amount to many opportunities. In practical terms, Hoskins being unable to come back at all is probably the sole scenario in which Bauers has a case to accompany the team in the playoffs.
Particularly given the Brewers’ scrappy brand of baseball, he just doesn’t offer enough defensively, on the base paths, or even at the plate unless he returns to being the .820 OPS hitter he was in May.
With Hoskins activated for rehab earlier this week, the clock is already ticking.
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