Over the course of the past four MLB seasons, including this one, the Milwaukee Brewers have had two different players start at first base for them on Opening Day. Rhys Hoskins, of course, started there in 2024 and 2025 after signing a three-year contract with Milwaukee after a long stint with the Philadelphia Phillies. Prior to his arrival, Rowdy Tellez manned the position on Opening Day in 2022 and 2023.
And while this may not seem very significant, when one looks at the list of Brewers Opening Day first basemen since 2012, the first season after Prince Fielder departed in free agency, one can see why it would be notable.
From 2011-2022, a span of 12 seasons, Milwaukee had 12 different first basemen start for them on Opening Day:
- 2011- Fielder
- 2012- Mat Gamel
- 2013- Alex Gonzalez
- 2014- Lyle Overbay
- 2015- Adam Lind
- 2016- Chris Carter
- 2017- Eric Thames
- 2018- Ryan Braun
- 2019- Jesus Aguilar
- 2020- Justin Smoak
- 2021- Keston Hiura
- 2022- Tellez
And while Hoskins may not be considered a long-term solution at the position, at least in Milwaukee, he is having a decent season, hitting .244/.338/.420 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI.
The same cannot be said, though, for the player he replaced.
Former Milwaukee Brewers First Baseman Rowdy Tellez Was Designated for Assignment by the Seattle Mariners
Earlier this week, it was reported that Tellez, who had been playing for the Seattle Mariners this season, had been designated for assignment. Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors reported, “The Mariners have designated first baseman Rowdy Tellez for assignment, per a team announcement. His spot on the roster will go to outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley, who’s been activated from the injured list after missing seven weeks with an oblique strain.”
Tellez is hitting just .208/.249/.434 this season with 11 home runs and 27 RBI. And while he still has some power in his bat, he has struck out 49 times while having drawn just eight walks.
The former Brewers first baseman enjoyed the best year of his career while playing for Milwaukee in 2022. That season, he hit .219/.306/.461 with a career-high 35 home runs and 89 RBI. The following season, though, he saw his production drop, hitting .215/.291/.376 with 13 home runs and 47 RBI.
Last season, Tellez played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting .243/.299/.392 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI.
Now that he has been designated for assignment, Tellez can be picked up by any MLB team. However, should no one claim him and the rest of his $1.5 million salary, he can either accept an assignment to the minors from Seattle or become a free agent.
An eight-year MLB veteran, it is hard to see Tellez choose a minor league assignment. That being said, it also hard to see a team being willing to assume the rest of his Major League salary given his low level of production.
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