Outfielder Will Brennan (right), shown congratulating Lane Thomas last season, was recalled Monday from Class AAA Columbus.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — One thought kept bouncing between Will Brennan’s ears after he was optioned to Triple-A Columbus just before opening day this season.
“If you don’t like it, play better,” said Brennan. “That’s the way it’s always been.”
Brennan didn’t like it and he definitely played better. The reward came Monday afternoon when the Guardians announced that he was being recalled with struggling shortstop Brayan Rocchio being optioned to Columbus to make room on the 26-man roster.
Manager Stephen Vogt immediately put Brennan in the lineup, starting him in right field and batting him ninth against the Brewers on Monday night.
Brennan hit .304 (45 for 148) with eight doubles, three homers and 18 RBI at Columbus. He posted a .759 OPS.
“Working with Junior Betances (Columbus hitting coach) always helps,” said Brennan. “He’s a wizard with the baseball bat and teaching guys how to hit.”
Betances is in his 26th year with the Cleveland organization.
“He worked with me on approach-based stuff,” said Brennan. “What to look for, what to attack. He knows I’m an aggressive hitter, so he can make sure I’m on the right pitches. That’s mostly about staying on the heater (fastball).”
Brennan made his big league debut for Cleveland in 2022. He spent 2023 and 2024 in a platoon situation in right field before being optioned to Columbus late last season. He was recalled in time for the postseason.
“I had a really solid approach and hopefully I can carry it over and help this team win ballgames,” said Brennan.
It will be interesting to see how Vogt shares playing time among Brennan, Nolan Jones and Jhonkensy Noel. Each has spent most of his big league time in right field. Monday night, Jones was in center flanked by Steven Kwan in left and Brennan in right.
Brennan played all three outfield spots this year at Columbus.
New lumber
Jose Ramirez was getting the feel for a torpedo bat in the locker room before Monday night’s game.
“It’s just a sample,” said Ramirez. “I don’t think I’ll use it. I’m going to get a feel for it hitting in the cages and during batting practice.”
Daniel Schneemann ordered a couple of torpedo bats following the success the Yankees had just after the season opened. He used one against the White Sox in the first homestand and broke it.
“I only had two, so I didn’t want to break the other one,” he said. “When I went back to my normal bat, I started hitting and haven’t used the other torpedo bat.”
Schneemann entered Monday’s game hitting .345 (20 for 58) in his last 22 games.
Fresh start
The Guardians went 1-2 over the weekend against the Phillies, but starters Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee and Luis Ortiz were sharp.
They went a combined 1-2 with a 1.00 ERA (two earned runs in 18 innings). They struck out 20, walked six and allowed 13 hits.
When asked about the rotation, Vogt said, “The word that comes to mind is growth. It’s not always going to be perfect. It’s not always going to be where we want it to be.
“It’s about development. These guys are developing at the big leagues and that’s really hard to do. Those last three starts have been incredible and we’re looking for the same from Ben (Lively) tonight (vs. Milwaukee). He’s coming off a good start, too.”
Overall, the rotation is 11-14 with a 4.34 ERA. It ranked 12th in the AL in ERA, first in walks with 98 and 11th in strikeouts with 181.
Green light
Lane Thomas (right wrist) will begin a rehab assignment this week with Columbus. Vogt said Thomas, with just 13 games played this season, will spend at least a week with Columbus.
Vogt added that valuable utility man David Fry, recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, will begin play this week in the Arizona Complex League.
Right-hander Vince Velasquez, who accepted an outright to Columbus on May 4 after being designated for assignment, pitched four scoreless innings for Columbus on Friday.