Milwaukee Brewers Activate Gennett; Option Schafer to AAA

Just about everything has gone wrong so far for the 2015 Milwaukee Brewers, which is generally the case for a team that starts 8-18. The hitting has been awful, the pitching hasn’t been much better, and the Brewers’ quickly lost three of their Opening Day starters to injury. Things have been getting a little better lately though, as the Brewers’ secured their first winning streak of 2015 last night, claiming their third straight victory and first for new manager, Craig Counsell. The team is getting healthier, as well, as Carlos Gomez returned to action Friday night after missing the last two weeks with injuries. Now, after a successful rehab assignment with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, second baseman Scooter Gennett is ready to return to action as well.

The 25 year old Scooter got off to a slow start to the season, managing just six hits (zero extra base hits) in his first 33 plate appearances before suffering a freak injury. After the Brewers’ loss to the Pirates on April 19th, Gennett sliced his hand open in the shower while reaching for a bar of soap. While Gennett had hoped to avoid missing much time, the team eventually placed him on the disabled list, costing him the last two weeks worth of games. The Brewers went 6-8 during Scooter’s time away, using mainly a combination of Elian Herrera and Hector Gomez to fill in. Scooter completed a four game rehab stint in Appleton yesterday, collecting four hits and two walks in 15 plate appearances.

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To make room for Gennett on the active roster, the Brewers have optioned outfielder Logan Schafer to AAA Colorado Springs. Long a favorite of now former manager Ron Roenicke, the 28 year old Schafer has been his typical self so far this year: strong while patrolling the outfield but generally useless at the plate. In 40 plate appearances, Schafer managed just six hits (though three were doubles) while striking out seven times. Logan successfully laid down three sacrifice bunts and walked three times, providing a meager .543 OPS. With a healthy Carlos Gomez patrolling center and Gerardo Parra in place as the fourth outfielder, Schafer was no longer needed at the big league level. Additionally, Logan had an option remaining, making it easier to move him to the minors rather than risk exposing someone like Elian Herrera to waivers.

Schafer is now out of options, and though he can be shuttled back and forth to the majors this year without consequence, he’ll need to stick with the big league club throughout 2016 or be passed through waivers. Given Schafer’s lack of production at the major league level and the fact that Ron Roenicke is no longer in the fold to protect him, Logan’s time in Milwaukee may be close to over.

The Milwaukee Brewers (8-18) will continue their four game series against the Dodgers (16-9) tonight at Miller Park. After defeating Clayton Kershaw last night, Milwaukee will look to keep the momentum going and move the winning streak to four games going against former Brewer Zack Greinke (4-0, 1.93 ERA), who has been lights out all year long. Matt Garza (2-3, 4.60 ERA) will take the mound for the Brewers.

Next: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Farm Report 4/29-5/5