Brewers make some moves in the bullpen
Eric Yardley was one of the feel-good stories for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2020.
On Monday, the right-hander was optioned to the alternate training site as the team made another tweak to its bullpen in advance of a six-game homestand against the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Left-hander Angel Perdomo was recalled and will take Yardley's spot.
“I feel like we're about to face a couple teams where having another left-hander is impactful and can be useful,” manager Craig Counsell said. “Angel threw the ball very, very well in spring training and we think he can help us.
“This is what you're going to see during this season with guys in our bullpen a little bit.”
Yardley rose from waiver claim to key contributor in the pandemic season of 2020. He earned Counsell's trust in the early going and wound up leading the team in appearances with 24 (231⁄3 innings) while posting a 1.54 earned run average.
But it's been a completely different story for the 30-year-old since the calendar flipped.
In nine Cactus League appearances (eight innings), Yardley posted a 6.75 ERA and WHIP of 2.13.
He's been unable to change his fortunes in the regular season, with a 9.00 ERA and WHIP of 2.00 in five outings (five innings) not helping his case to remain in the bullpen for the time being.
Yardley was hit hard Thursday and Sunday in St. Louis, allowing a combined five hits, three earned runs, two walks and a hit batter in two innings. He was also charged with a blown save in Milwaukee's 3-1 loss Thursday.
“I'm not sure Eric got completely locked in; you know it was just three appearances but even through the spring he was just battling himself a little bit at times,” said Counsell. “He'll get on track. He's going to be back soon, I would guess.
“We're going to count on Eric as we counted on him last year, but we are going to actively manage our bullpen this year.”
Yardley is a sidearmer, and sometimes when pitchers with unique throwing styles have delivery issues it can be tough to get them back on track.
Counsell was asked if that might be the case so far with Yardley.
“I don't know if I have a great answer to that question or a definitive answer that question,” he said.
“Probably the uniqueness of it gives us a little less information to lean on as far as seeing it a lot and using other guys as examples. So, I think that would make it maybe a little harder to help him, maybe, if anything.
“But Eric's been a good strike thrower. That's one thing he's been good at, and he's just battling it a little bit. He'll get it straight. He's athletic, he's smart. He'll get it straightened out and he's going to help us.”
Perdomo, who turns 27 on May 7, begins his second tenure with the Brewers.
He made his major league debut last Aug. 18 and ultimately struggled in three appearances, posting a 20.25 ERA in 22⁄3 innings before being sent back to the alternate training site.
Perdomo was lights-out this spring, however, throwing 61⁄3 scoreless innings over eight appearances while striking out 12. He cuts an imposing figure on the mound at 6 feet 8 inches and 265 pounds, but more important gives Counsell another lefty to utilize alongside Brent Suter.
Yelich out, Shaw in
The Brewers were 1 for 2 Monday on dinged-up players making their way into the lineup. Christian Yelich, who was removed in the second inning of Sunday's game with lower-back soreness, was held out. He had started every game in left field up until Monday.
“We're still in a day-to-day situation,” Counsell said. “There was enough there today that we didn't feel like he should be in the lineup.”
Jackie Bradley Jr., who took over for Yelich on Sunday, got the start Monday as the Brewers' outfield depth already pays dividends.
“When we envisioned this, I thought the start of the season would be the most challenging time because they'd likely be healthy, so we'd be trying to find regular spots for them,” said Counsell. “We've just divided the series up. Lo(renzo Cain) had a little issue for a couple of days but I think it's worked out fine so far.
“It does feel like it raises the floor for us, is probably the best way to say it. We're putting a great player in the lineup every day. Our outfield defense has been really good so far. Jackie hasn't gotten hot with the bat yet but I think he's shown us defensively why he's got such a great reputation,
“The way we've played defense in general has been a big part of this pitching story.”
Travis Shaw, meanwhile, was starting once again at third base after fouling a ball off his ankle and having to leave Sunday's game, a big plus as the lefthanded hitter has been the team's biggest run producer to this point with two home runs and 10 runs batted in entering Monday.
“He woke up feeling better,” Counsell said. “He was just out there taking some ground balls. He's doing all right.”
Welcome back, Keston
Counsell wasted little time in sliding Keston Hiura back over to second base from first as he said he might in the wake of Kolten Wong's stint on the injured list.
Daniel Vogelbach took over at first. “Look, in an ideal world, we wouldn't do that, necessarily,” Counsell said of moving Hiura so soon after he spent all spring learning a new position. He's made a team-high seven starts at first to this point.
“But we have to be prepared for things that are going to happen during the season. That's why we played him a little bit at second base at the end of camp, in case there was a scenario like this.
“He has played a ton at this position, so it's not unfamiliar. The season rarely allows you your ideal circumstances every day. And so, this is a case where we're asking a player to, for the benefit of the team, because this makes us better tonight we feel like, to go back to where he played.
“That's how we're going to roll with it. I think Keston understands that and he's game for it. I mean, we understand it's a challenge for him, for sure. We understand that.”