Lawrie set to join Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers have shown a willingness in recent years to give players second chances, and apparently that applies to their past first-round draft picks.

Brett Lawrie, selected in the first round of the 2008 draft by the Brewers but traded two years later, posted on his Instagram account Saturday that he is signing with Milwaukee after being out of the game for two years.

“Yesterday I got the best news of my live & I am beyond excited to share with you that I am signing with the Milwaukee Brewers,” the 29-year-old Lawrie posted. “I’m so ecstatic for this opportunity of a lifetime and I cannot thank the Brewers enough for believing in me when no 1 else would.”

There was no announcement from the club, in all likelihood because his signing is pending a physical examination. That is no small matter because Lawrie has not played in the majors since being sidelined by injuries in the middle of the 2016 season with the Chicago White Sox.

Under the circumstances, any agreement would be a minor-league deal. And, considering Lawrie’s long absence from the game, he is not likely to be invited to major-league camp. Tom Haudricourt SKIING

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