Sal Frelick is one step closer to getting back to Milwaukee, and the timing could matter more for the Brewers’ infield than their outfield.
The Brewers have plenty of bodies on the grass right now. Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, Luis Lara, and Jake Bauers have already made the group crowded enough that Brandon Lockridge has had a tough time finding consistent playing time as the fifth outfielder. The more pressing issue has been the infield, where rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt is on the IL with a hamstring strain and Brice Turang is dealing with knee soreness that kept him out of Thursday night’s lineup.
That has forced Milwaukee to patch things together in a hurry. Andrew Vaughn has started at third base three times over the last five games even though he hadn’t started there since 2021.
David Hamilton also made just his fifth start of the season at second base last night. The Brewers even added former Pirates utility man Jihwan Bae on a minor league deal to give them another option, despite the fact that he hadn’t appeared in the majors this year before joining the club.
Still, the next roster move may be about Frelick. The Gold Glove outfielder has been on the injured list with a shoulder strain, and while he has a few career innings at third base, that doesn’t really point to him being the answer at the hot corner. What does matter is that his rehab assignment is finally reaching the stage where he’s ready to get back into the field.
Frelick was sent to Triple-A on August 8 and spent the first four games of the assignment as Nashville’s designated hitter while easing back into action. He felt the strain when he made a throw from the right-field corner, and the bat came back before the arm did. Now, though, the Nashville Sounds announced that he will start tonight against the Indianapolis Indians in right field, his first time playing defense since July 17.
During the rehab stint, Frelick has gone 3 for 11 with a double. He has also drawn three walks, struck out once, and has not attempted a stolen base.
Once Frelick is activated, the Brewers’ crowded outfield could force a move, and Lockridge appears to be the likely odd man out. That could happen as soon as next Tuesday, when Milwaukee opens a two-series homestand against the Seattle Mariners.
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