The Brewers announced a slate of roster moves today. Righty Zach Davies is headed to the 10-day DL with rotator cuff inflammation. He’ll be replaced on the active roster by first baseman/outfielder Ji-Man Choi.
In other news, the Milwaukee organization has outrighted catcher Jett Bandy. He had been designated for assignment recently and will now head to Triple-A after clearing waivers.
Davies, 25, spent nearly a month on the DL already and has struggled in two starts since returning. On the year, he carries a 5.23 ERA with 6.5 K/9 against 3.6 BB/9 in 43 innings over eight starts.
While he has been a solid rotation piece over the past two seasons with less-than-exciting K/BB numbers, Davies has been easier to square up so far in 2018. He has already surrendered seven home runs and has allowed opposing hitters to make hard contact at a hefty 43.8% clip. Still, measures such as fastball velocity, swinging-strike rate, and groundball rate indicate that Davies is still much the same hurler as before.
With Davies on the shelf, the Brewers will need another starter in a few days. For the time being, though, they’ll go with an extra man on the bench. Choi has impressed consistently of late with the bat. in his 154 plate appearances at Triple-A, he has posted a .290/.416/.452 slash with four home runs and 28 walks against 31 strikeouts.
Bandy, meanwhile, will remain available if a need arises behind the dish. The 28-year-old has struggled at the plate, with a .218/.282/.365 slash in his 492 career plate appearances at the game’s highest level. Still, the Milwaukee organization will be glad to retain Bandy, particularly since Stephen Vogt is already likely out for the year and the team’s current MLB duo of Manny Pina and Erik Kratz does not exactly make for an imposing unit.
Love the Ji-Man
I don’t know why but I feel for this kid. I hope someone leaves him alone and gives him 300-400 at bats to see what he can do.
I remember him breaking his ankle in Spring Training for the M’s and I’ve had an irrational soft spot for him since. Go Ji-Man.
Time to move on from the Jett bandy experiment. It didn’t work out. Bertha court is a better Cather than Jett anyways and if we can wait for Vogt that’s 4 catchers.
Let Jett go.
Let’s see what Erik Kratz can do before sticking a fork in him. He seems good enough to get an extended trial at least.
1) Bandy,career-wise, is a better hitter than either Bethancourt or Kratz, but in truth all three are pretty bad.
2) Vogt is out for the year.
1) no one is sticking a fork In kratz….wasn’t said. Just saw him hit hr #2
2) bandy, career wise is done. Bethancourt is at least younger and could develop. I’d rather roll with him over Jett. I think the brewers will too…he will likely get the majority of starts at AAA over Jett.
3) I know Vogt is out for the year…hence the “wait for Vogt” comment.
My bad, I misread your original comment and was thinking of the Author’s statement when I had made that comment.
This is the week Choi establishes himself as a force…
I wish they would do something with Boone Logan other than put him in the game.
A left specialist who can’t get lefties out
Ji Man is the He Man oh boy oh Choi
Which SP will the Brewers trade for next month?
My money’s on Hamels cuz he’ll cost less than archer. I wouldn’t mind degrom or syndergaard if they’re available, but they will definitely not be cheap. Might be worth it though. Imagine a rotation of Degrom, healthy Nelson, Guerra (if he keeps this up), Anderson, Davies/Suter. Turns a bad rotation into a pretty good one for the playoffs.
Don’t sleep on Chacin!
Chacin has been doing very well lately. As is Suter. I’d hate to see them give up the farm for another pitcher although I’d love to see a trade for someone that has another year or two left on a contract. When is Nelson coming back?
I don’t see them making any big moves, no reason to part with any of your top prospects when the team is playing this well.
According to reports either right before or right after the all star break in July