Milwaukee Brewers fans pay tribute to the late Bob Uecker
The Milwaukee Brewers honored the life of the legendary Bob Uecker on Sunday Aug. 24 at American Family Field.
As rosters expanded to 28 players across Major League Baseball on Sept. 1, a pair of notable names on their way back from injury — Rhys Hoskins and Robert Gasser — were not among the Milwaukee Brewers‘ two additions, which ultimately went to Joey Ortiz and Craig Yoho.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy provided updates on both players prior to the series-opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.
When will Rhys Hoskins be back?
There was speculation that first baseman Hoskins could be among the roster moves as big-league rosters expanded to 28 players on Sept. 1, but indications from Murphy were that the Brewers are going to give him more time on his rehab assignment at Class AAA Nashville before activating him. Hoskins has until Sept. 9 to be activated or returned to the injured list while recovering from a left thumb injury that has kept him out since his last game appearance with the Brewers on July 5.
“There isn’t a target date,” Murphy said. “We just feel like with our roster the way it is right now, he’s a first baseman and a DH. We have both of those potions right now and we have the opposite-handed, the left-handed, hitter for pinch-hit situations. So to thread the needle, we still feel like we need a little more time.”
Reading between some of the lines of Murphy’s comments, it would seem that the Brewers are taking a bit more time to evaluate the roster status of Anthony Seigler and Jake Bauers, the two players most likely to go down to Nashville upon Hoskins’ return. Bauers remaining on the club would give the Brewers three first baseman on the roster, while Seigler carries more positional value as a third baseman. But Seigler has minor-league options remaining, whereas Bauers would have to be designated for assignment.
Brewers targeting relief role for Robert Gasser in return
In his rehab assignment, Gasser fully stretched out as a starting pitcher. Now, after being activated from the injured list and optioned back to Nashville, the accordion will shrink.
The Brewers’ plan for Gasser in his return from Tommy John surgery is to utilize him as a multi-inning reliever, Murphy said Sept. 1.
With the schedule lightening up on the heels of 19 games in 18 days, the Brewers have enough off-days built in that, along with Chad Patrick available for spot starts, they feel they can get through the remainder of the regular season with all their starters on a full, five-days rest schedule.
With DL Hall on the injured list with a right oblique strain and his playoff status uncertain, Gasser could fill a similar role out of the bullpen in his absence.
“He’s part of the plan,” Murphy said of Gasser. “He just needs more time.”
The plan for Luis Urías
The Brewers brought back a familiar face by signing infielder Luis Urías to a minor-league deal after the Athletics released him. Urías was assigned directly to Nashville, where all indications are that he will play until when or if a need arises in Milwaukee.
“You’re seeing across the league a lot of teams acquire players just in case,” Murphy said. “To have a guy that is familiar here – I’ve known the kid since 2012, I believe, in the minor leagues with the Padres. I think we have a belief system that this is a kid that has got big league experience and in an emergency could help us if something goes wrong.”
This story was updated to correct information.