Milwaukee Brewers Recall Utilityman Jason Rogers from AAA

Following last night’s 4-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, we learned that center fielder Carlos Gomez would be placed on the disabled list. Gomez suffered a right hamstring injury while running out a fielder’s choice on Wednesday night, and immediately limped out of the game. He was flown back to Milwaukee for further evaulation prior to yesterday’s game, and the Brewers made an official roster move this morning. Gomez was placed on the 15 day disabled list retroactive to yesterday, and in his place, the Brewers have recalled Jason Rogers from AAA.

Rogers was among the later roster cuts during spring training, and the 27 year old has done nothing but hit throughout his minor league career. After being drafted in the 32nd round in 2010, Rogers has slowly but surely risen through the Brewers’ system while playing several positions all over the diamond. Primarily viewed as a third and first baseman, Rogers also has 67 appearances in the outfield in his minor league career, and could play corner outfield in a pinch at the major league level for the Brewers. What has always carried Rogers is his hitting prowess, including a .288/.368/.459 career slash in 2175 minor league plate apperances, with 188 extra base hits (including 63 home runs). He was the Brewers minor league player of the year in 2013 after posting an .814 OPS with 49 extra base hits in AA, and made his major league debut last season, collecting one hit in 10 plate appearances.

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Jason did his best to force the Brewers hand early in the season, performing admirably during spring training (.351/.419/.378 in 37 at bats), and then tearing it up for Colorado Springs to begin the season. In 28 plate appearances covering six games, Rogers has posted a .360/.429/.640 slash, walking three times while striking out just four. Rogers slugged two home runs and is leading the team with seven runs batted in, and was one of four players the Brewers have at AAA with OPS marks north of 1.000 to start the year.

In calling up Rogers rather than someone like Shane Peterson (the only other outfielder listed on the 40 man roster), the Brewers have decided to continue forward with a four outfielder bench for the time being. Gerardo Parra will receive most of the starts in replacement of Carlos Gomez, with light-hitting sac bunting specialist Logan Schafer serving as the fourth outfielder. Rogers can hopefully fill the “power bat” spot coming off the bench that the Brewers have sorely lacked to this point in the season, and will join Luis Jimenez as another option to spell both Aramis Ramirez and Adam Lind at the infield corners.

The 2-7 Milwaukee Brewers continue their road trip in Pittsburgh today, where they will take on the 3-6 Pirates at PNC Park. The Brewers lost two of three games to the Pirates in their series last week. Jimmy Nelson, who dominated the Pirates last time out, with take the mound for Milwaukee. Jeff Locke, who beat Milwaukee his last time out, takes the mound for Pittsburgh. Neither team has featured much offense this season, with Pittsburgh ranked 12th and Milwaukee 14th in the National League in runs per game. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM Milwaukee time.