Somewhat unexpectedly, Pérez back with Brewers
A veteran of 606 games spanning parts of eight major-league seasons, Hernán Pérez could barely contain his excitement as he walked back into Miller Park for the first time since June 28.
“I feel like I'm making my debut today,” he said, smiling. “I couldn't sleep last night, I was so excited to be back.”
Starting at shortstop as the Milwaukee Brewers opened a three-game interleague series against the Texas Rangers, Pérez had his contract selected from Class AAA San Antonio while slumpridden Travis Shaw was optioned back there for the second time in a month and a half.
Pérez, a popular utility man who first debuted with the Brewers in 2015, was under the assumption he wouldn't be back after being designated for assignment. President of baseball operations David Stearns and manager Craig Counsell said as much as well at the time, expecting him to be claimed by another team.
But luck was on the side of Pérez and the Brewers, and he was ultimately outrighted to San Antonio on July 3.
“I was expecting someone to pick me up, but it didn't happen so I think I made the right decision to come back here and sign with the Brewers again,” Pérez, 28, said.
“I was surprised that he ended back up with us, frankly,” Counsell added.
Pérez's promotion came as the result of the Brewers playing without a true backup shortstop behind starter
Orlando Arcia since they optioned utility man Tyler Saladino – who’d replaced Pérez originally – to San Antonio on Aug. 1.
“It’s really a roster thing as much as anything. Where we’re going to have atbats for players,” Counsell said. “Originally when we called Travis up, we were thinking about putting Eric (Thames) in the outfield a little more. But when we brought Trent (Grisham) up, it kind of changed things there.
“In Pittsburgh, we didn’t have at-bats for (Shaw) with a couple right-handers (starting). It’s just a roster fit right now. Without having a shortstop on the roster for the last week, this just gives us more flexibility and allows us to give Orlando a day off here and there.
“We got pretty heavy against lefthanders – especially left-handed starters – so it’s just a better fit right now.”
Known as a player who’s always swung first and asked questions later, Pérez said he worked on his plate discipline during his 27-game stint in the minors. He hit .290 with five home runs and 19 runs batted in, and he compiled a .372 on-base percentage while drawing 14 walks compared to 23 strikeouts.
In 59 games with the Brewers, Pérez hit .235 with five homers and 11 RBI but reached base at just a .277 clip while starting games at shortstop, second base, third base and in right field.
“That was something we noticed – he had really good at-bats,” Counsell said of Pérez’s stay in the minors. “I think for a guy like Hernán, who’s been here now (five) years, the first couple years there were some extended stretches of playing and the last two years, really not.
“Playing every day is so helpful for a guy like that. That’s a good thing. He’s not going to be in an every-day role here; he’s going to have to kind of get used to doing what he was doing for us (before). But every time he has been on the roster there is a fit for him.
“There are places to use him because of his versatility.”
Pérez, one of the more popular players in the Brewers’ clubhouse in recent years, was emotional when he was originally sent out by the Brewers but kept his nose to the grindstone once he rejoined the organization in San Antonio.
His patience ultimately paid off after the Brewers pulled the plug on Saladino, who hit grand slams in consecutive games during his stay but did nothing else offensively.
“I didn’t think about that,” Pérez said. “I just waited for the moment. I think God has a plan for everybody, so I just kept working hard every day and never put my head down.”
Shaw’s demotion was just the latest setback in what’s been a nightmare season for the 29-year-old. He’d been recalled on July 26 on the heels of an extended run of success at the plate for the Missions, but hit just .143 with a walk, five strikeouts and no extra-base hits in his eight games back.
Overall, Shaw is hitting .162 with six homers and 13 RBI in 65 games with the Brewers after hitting more than 30 homers and driving in at least 86 runs in each of the previous two seasons.
“He’s discouraged,” Counsell said. “It’s been a rough year, and this doesn’t make it any better. He’s a little discouraged right now, but he’s just got to keep fighting through it and understand this is where we’re at right now and who knows what’s going to happen in the next six weeks?”
To make room for Pérez on the 40man roster, right-hander Burch Smith was designated for assignment.