The Milwaukee Brewers had quite an eventful day on Saturday. The morning started with the unfortunate news that center fielder Blake Perkins, a Gold Glove finalist in 2024, was going to miss over a month to start the season after suffering a fractured shin. Perkins suffered the injury after fouling a pitch off of his leg during a live batting practice session against Freddy Peralta.
Hours later, Milwaukee celebrated a walk-off win over the Cincinnati Reds in their Cactus League opener of Spring Training. The Brewers were elevated by shortstop Vinny Capra, who hit two home runs and six RBI, a performance that included a walk-off three-run blast.
With Perkins sidelined until May at the absolute earliest, Milwaukee found itself in need of some Major League-proven depth in the outfield. It did not take them long to address the situation, bringing back an old friend on a minor league deal.
The Milwaukee Brewers Have Signed Outfielder Mark Canha
Per a report by Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Brewers have signed 36-year-old outfielder Mark Canha to a minor league contract that includes an invite to Spring Training.
Mark Canha is headed back to Milwaukee pic.twitter.com/p8RVuxAYkD
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) February 23, 2025
If he makes the Opening Day roster, it will be Canha’s second stint in Milwaukee. The veteran outfielder previously had been acquired by the Brewers from the New York Mets ahead of the MLB trade deadline in 2023 in exchange for Justin Jarvis.
In 50 games with Milwaukee in 2023, Canha hit .287/.373/.427 with five home runs and 33 RBI. He is able to play either corner outfield spot, first base, third base, and designated hitter.
Canha spent the 2024 season split between the Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants. After hitting just .231/.337/.329 with seven home runs and 38 RBI in 93 games for the Tigers, he was traded to the Giants ahead of the deadline.
Following the trade, Canha hit .288/.376/.329 with four RBI in 32 games with the Giants.
Why Signing Mark Canha Made Sense for the Milwaukee Brewers
While Canha was a fan-favorite and consistent contributor for the Brewers in 2023, his signing now should not indicate that he is a lock to make the Opening Day roster. Milwaukee has many young players that are competing for a job this year, and the 36-year-old Canha will not be taking a starting job from any of them.
That being said, he is an intriguing veteran who can provide depth at multiple positions. As mentioned, he can play both corner outfield spots, and did play some center field early in his career (though that was when he was younger and faster). What makes him a good signing for the Brewers, specifically, is the fact that he is a right-handed hitter.
Perkins, a switch-hitter, is better from the right side than the left, and Jackson Chourio is the only other right-handed hitting outfielder on the Brewers’ depth chart. Sal Frelick, Christian Yelich, Garrett Mitchell, and Jake Bauers all hit from the left side of the plate.
Additionally, Canha can play third base (as mentioned), a position job that is projected to be won by one of Milwaukee’s young prospects. He can provide veteran depth there as well.
And while Canha is not a power hitter by any means, he is adept at getting on base. From 2019-2023, he had an on base percentage of .370, a stretch that also saw him lead the Majors in being hit by a pitch two years in a row (27 in 2021 and 28 in 2022).
More Milwaukee Brewers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Brewers Sign Light-Hitting Veteran Outfielder to Minor League Deal
- Brewers Outfielder Out Weeks After Batting Practice Injury
- Jackson Chourio Predicted to Lead Brewers in Surprising Category in 2025
- Brewers Linked to Former Rival “Brewer Killer” in Free Agency
- Brewers Projected Infield Has Rave Reviews from MLB Analyst
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