Pina, Bandy to handle catching chores

PHOENIX - The Milwaukee Brewers opened the 2017 season with Manny Piña and Jett Bandy as their catching tandem, and both got off to banner starts, helping the team exceed expectations.

But Bandy, acquired before last season in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels for catcher Martin Maldonado, later went ice-cold at the plate, prompting the Brewers to claim veteran Stephen Vogt on waivers from Oakland in late June. In turn, Bandy was sent to the minors.

Now, with Vogt slated to open the season on the disabled list with a shoulder strain, the Brewers again will begin the season with Piña and Bandy as their catchers. Piña had a strong rookie season (.279, nine home runs, 43 RBI in 107 games) but manager Craig Counsell said he hasn’t decided yet how he will allot playing time between the two.

“I don’t have a plan right now,” Counsell said. “I’ll say that. I can tell you Manny will catch opening day.

“I can answer that question in a couple days, but we’ve got to get there. A day like yesterday (with injuries to pitchers Wade Miley and Boone Logan), we put off these questions but (the injuries) is why we put them off. We’re getting there. We need some more time.”

Bandy, who was recalled in late July when Vogt suffered a knee injury, and again as a September call-up, finished with a .207 batting average, six home runs and 18 RBI in 60 games. He threw out only seven of 41 runners (17.1%) attempting steals.

Piña has had a so-so spring at the plate, batting .258 with two homers (both in one game) and six RBI in 31 atbats. Bandy, who has picked it up after a slow start, is hitting .278 with one homer and two RBI in 36 at-bats.

The catcher who has had the best camp is non-roster player Christian Bethancourt, who is batting .385 with a .577 slugging percentage, one homer and two RBI in 26 at-bats.