The Brewers have designated righty Deolis Guerra for assignment, per a team release. Right-hander Burch Smith has been recalled in his place.
Guerra, a 30-year-old who once upon a time was a headliner in the 2008 Johan Santana trade that sent the left-handed ace from Minnesota to New York, has never quite found his footing in a 14-year professional career thus far. A 2012 move to the bullpen was precipitated by severe bat-missing issues, a malaise that transmuted into homer and command problems in relief stints with both the Pirates and Angels from 2015-17.
He has been sharp this year, however, with 10.45 K/9 against 2.18 walks per nine in 41 1/3 treacherous innings in the homer-happy PCL. Numbers like those will allow him to linger in the upper minors for as long as he chooses, though the far-below average fastball (per MLB standards) may keep him knocking on the big-league door for some time.
Smith, 29, is a former well-regarded Padres and Rays prospect who ran into a heavy wall with Kansas City last season. Injuries kept him out of both the 2015 and ’16 seasons, and the low-slot Smith hasn’t since been able to regain his long-ago form. In 13 starts for San Antonio this season, Smith has paired a strong strikeout rate (10.24 K/9) with sloppy command. He’ll likely be deployed in relief with Milwaukee, though the team’s current pitching mix needs help wherever it can get it.
nmendoza7
Was he even on the roster for a full day?
PapiElf
He lasted 49 hours and 41 minutes on the Brewers roster.
PapiElf
He was recalled at 8:10 a.m on Thursday and DFAd at 9:51 a.m today
RoyalsFanAmongWolves
Please don’t tell Dayton Moore this guy was DFAed
twentyforty
The rotating wheel of putrid pitchers in Milwaukee was continues….
MannyPineappleExpress9
As does your unhealthy obsession with every insignificant thing posted about the brewers. I wonder which will stop turning first…
twentyforty
Check Smiths numbers this evening. Enjoy.
Phattey
It’s getting ridiculous at this point but hey let’s keep throwing stuff at the wall and see what sticks
bucsfan
That’s been the Pirates approach for the last 2 months as well
afsooner02
That’ll happen when you blow a 5 run lead to the pirates
dcahen
Too bad the Pirates don’t do the same with Neverauskas, the bozo that gave the Brewers the 6 run lead in the first place!
leefieux
I smell a trade! 🙂
Mendoza Line 215
I have always liked Dovydas but I do not think that he can pitch under pressure situations.Hurdle gave him a chance and did not use Krick who himself has blown several games.Of course Hurdle could have taken him out after the first home run too.But I have to admit at this point that DN May do better somewhere else.He has been up and down for three years now and they cannot give unlimited chances.
He is an all star at AAA but has never really made it in the MLs.I do not know that he is a bulldog enough to make it in the ML.
And they did option him after the game and brought up the other AAA all star relief pitcher Montana DuRupau.
stubby66
Hey gotta question. Earlier this year the Brewers signed a guy who supposedly threw 104 mph. Does anyone remember his name and if he is doing anything?
PapiElf
Drew Rasmussen? He had two TJ surgeries in 18 months and is still throwing 100. He has a 3.42 era over A, A+, and AA this year and is at A ball right now.
Danthemilwfan
I don’t think he’s a bad pitcher. Not the right place to use him. Not a big loss though. I like Burch
toddkirchenberg
Not right place to use him? A 5 run lead is not enough? Should he only be put in when they are up by 10?