Counsell now has more options
But he says call-ups will serve in limited roles
WASHINGTON – With three trade acquisitions and five other players summoned from the minor leagues, Brewers manager Craig Counsell had many more weapons at his disposal Saturday as his team took on the Washington Nationals.
Welcome to September baseball, when rosters can be expanded beyond 25 players.
“We have 32 players (after pitcher Aaron Brooks was designated for assignment). That’s the number,” Counsell said. “It’s Sept. 1 and you expect changes then. Acquiring three players from outside the organization is a rare day for baseball, that’s for sure.
“We felt like we’ve made the team better. We’ve added some pieces, although it’s just a month left in the sea-
son, that are going to have a chance to make some pretty sizable contributions.”
The trade acquisitions were lefthander Gio Gonzalez, outfielder Curtis Granderson and reliever Xavier Cedeño. Outfielder Domingo Santana, catcher Jacob Nottingham, infielder Tyler Saladino and right-hander Brandon Woodruff were called up from Class AAA Colorado Springs, and outfielder Keon Broxton was recalled from Class A Wisconsin, where he was assigned to stay close to Milwaukee for the birth of a son.
Counsell said reliever Corey Knebel will rejoin the team Sunday, the first day he is eligible to return. Knebel pitched a scoreless inning Friday for Colorado Springs, his only outing there after taking a few days to work on command issues with bullpen sessions.
As for how he will use the newcomers, Counsell said, “I don’t see a lot changing as far as how playing time is being distributed. There are going to be some starts for Curtis. He’s going to start tomorrow. Lorenzo (Cain) is going to get the day off. Other than that, I don’t think we’re going to see a lot of differences.
“When you add players in September, they’re going to play smaller roles. Keon is going to be a defensive player for us, and a base-runner for us. Domingo is largely going to be a bat off the bench for us. Jacob Nottingham is a third catcher that is not going to play that often. So, there are smaller roles for most of the call-up roles.
“We’re playing by a different set of rules now. That’s what’s different about it. We have more choices in every decision. We have to define where these guys are going to help the most. In a way, it’s scripted a little bit.”
Still to be determined is what will happen with Gonzalez, who was struggling big-time in Washington’s rotation (1-4, 7.47 ERA in six starts in August). As it stands, there is no set date for him to make a start.
“I spoke with Gio today,” Counsell said.
“He will start games for us. Our rotation is set through Wednesday. He will be available out of the pen in the Cubs series (Monday through Wednesday). Then, we’ll play it by ear and see how it rolls.
“We’re at the point of the season where it’s all hands on deck for a lot of this. It’s about how we can get 27 outs.”
The Brewers traded two minor-leaguers for Gonzalez – infielder Gilbert Lara, who lost prospect status after signing at 16 for $3.2 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2014; and catcher/first baseman K.J. Harrison, a third-round draft pick in 2017 considered to have offensive upside. Counsell was asked about making a trade for Gonzalez with no set plans for him to join the rotation.
“He’s going to get outs for us,” Counsell said.
“If he gets out for us, that’s pitching. He will play a role on this team going down the stretch. I’m glad we have him. He started (three) days ago. He’s not available to pitch right now. As he becomes available, he’ll get outs for us.”
Santana showed improvement
Santana was sent down in late June to get going offensively, in particular his power stroke. After hitting 30 home runs last season, he had only three in 62 games for the Brewers with a .354 slugging percentage.
After a slow start with the Sky Sox, Santana picked up the pace with a .930 OPS in 25 games in August, with five homers and 19 RBI.
Overall, he batted .283 with a .401 on-base percentage, eight homers and 35 RBI in 55 games.
“It feels awesome being back with the guys, with the club,” he said. “I’m just happy to be here.”