Milwaukee Brewers Add Left Handed Reliever To Their Roster

In the same week that the Padres designated for assignment Michael Kirkman, the Milwaukee Brewers claimed him off of waivers.

Interestingly enough Kirkman spent most of the last season with the Brewers AAA affiliate Colorado Springs Sky Sox but was never called up to play at Miller Park.

Last year, Kirkman posted a 2.81 ERA across 32 innings in the hitter-friendly environment of Colorado Springs. But, like most of his career, Kirkman was plagued by command issues last season level walking twenty-eight batters in thirty-three innings of work with the Milwaukee Brewers affiliate.

When the Milwaukee Brewers started rebuilding and trading away veterans, Kirkman wasn’t one of those veterans traded away. Rather he was demoted and then eventually released on August 1 of last year.

Over the winter, Kirkman signed a minor-league deal with the Padres. He was called up after making five appearances for AAA El Paso and then after just one appearance in the big leagues the Padres sent him back down.

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His command issues that plagued him last season seemed to disappear this season as he didn’t give up a walk in his six appearances with El Paso. Kirkman’s worst year came in 2012 when he compiled an 8.18 ERA during 25 games with the Texans.

Skipper Craig Counsell iterated that it appears Kirkman’s command has improved, but also stated that there isn’t a specific role yet for Kirkman noting: “We’ll try to find good spots for him off the bat,” Counsell said. “Hopefully, like anybody else he’ll be able to progress into a bigger role.”

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Kirkman has a 5.25 career ERA through 95 games and 108 innings pitched in relief. The Milwaukee Brewers don’t have to clear anyone from their 40-man to make room for Kirkman, but they are optioning Sam Freeman, another relief pitcher whom they sent cash to the Rangers in order to acquire him.