Brinson called to fill latest hole
Villar to DL with strained back
PHOENIX - For the third time this week, the Milwaukee Brewers summoned one of their top prospects to the majors.
The Brewers announced Saturday that second baseman Jonathan Villar was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a lower back strain, the result of an injury suffered making a remarkable defensive play Friday night. To replace Villar on their roster, the Brewers recalled Colorado Springs outfielder Lewis Brinson, considered their No. 1 minor-league prospect.
Brinson was summoned one day after the call-up of lefty Josh Hader, considered the Brewers’ top pitching prospect. Brinson was not scheduled to arrive until after the game started against Arizona and manager Craig Counsell said his usage was to be determined.
With Hernán Pérez filling in at third base while Travis Shaw is away on family medical emergency leave and Eric Sogard taking over at second base with Villar sidelined, there will be opportunities for both Brinson and Brett Phillips, who came up Monday and has been playing in center in place of slumping Keon Broxton.
Another factor is leftfielder Ryan Braun being on the DL with a calf strain.
“(Brinson) is a member of the position player unit and we’ll get him in there,” Counsell said. “We’ve had some injuries and guys out, so we’ll find a spot for him. We’ve got a bunch of games in a row after the off day on Monday and a doubleheader (in St. Louis) on Tuesday . ...
“We’re able to do some different things with matchups and versatility, so we’ve got options. That’s how I’ll treat it. I’ll try to put everybody in the best spots to succeed.
“We’re calling up really good players. They’re young players, haven’t been in the big leagues and are inexperienced, but they’re very talented players.”
Brinson, 23, was one of three players acquired from Texas on Aug. 1 in a trade for catcher Jonathan Lucroy and reliever Jeremy Jeffress. In 45 games for the Sky Sox, he was batting .312 with a .397 on-base percentage and .503 slugging percentage. He had 13 doubles, a triple, six home runs and 25 RBI, with 22 walks and 45 strikeouts.
“This is so exciting,” Phillips said. “I’m super pumped for Brinson. The guy’s a stud. He’s one of those guys I think is a superstar. A guy that brings the best out of the guys around him. That’s what you want. I’m excited to be back with him.”
Villar was injured making a diving stab of a grounder by Chris Herrmann and throw to first base from shallow right field in the eighth inning of the Brewers’ 8-6 victory on Friday. He began suffering back spasms and had to be taken from the field on a cart.
X-rays were negative but Counsell said there was no way to know if Villar would recover in the minimum of 10 days or need more time.
“He’s pretty sore today,” Counsell said. “We wanted to see how he was feeling but when he got out of bed he was pretty sore, so that precipitated the DL move. At this point, it’s going to be a little while before we find out how he recovers. We’re hoping it goes fast . ... but I don’t have a time frame for you.”
Villar had a strong first season with the Brewers in 2016 but had scuffled at the plate this year while playing a new position. In 59 games, he was batting .213 with a .283 on-base percentage and .342 slugging percentage. Villar had nine doubles, six homers and 26 RBI, with 76 strikeouts in 225 at-bats.
Sogard already had replaced Villar as the leadoff hitter for the most part so nothing really changes there.
“Our depth is being tested but I think we’re in a good position still,” Counsell said. “We’re down a bunch of players so there is a limit to that. Eric has done a fabulous job getting on base so that takes the sting out of this a little bit.”
Heavy workload: Entering play Saturday, Jacob Barnes ranked first in the NL with 33 appearances and Corey Knebel and Carlos Torres were tied for second with 32. At that rate, all three would break the club record of 83 appearances by Ken Sanders in 1971.
With 100 games remaining in the season, could that trio continue at that pace without risking harm?
“You see games where we haven’t pitched them and it stings,” Counsell said, referring to the inconsistency of other relievers at his disposal. “We’ve just been close and late (with scores) every night. So, they are on a good pace. We’re certainly conscious of it.
“It’s right at the edge for me of what they can sustain.”