Milwaukee Brewers: What happens when Manny Pina returns?

Milwaukee Brewers catcher Manny Pina can be reinstated off of the 10-day disabled list on Monday. Before Friday’s game, he participated in some pregame baserunning to test out his right calf.

The Milwaukee Brewers are finding out this year that it might be a bad thing to have too many options. The Crew boasts a crowded outfield, too many great first basemen, and lots of talent for behind the plate.

Manny Pina is the Milwaukee Brewers starting catcher, there is no doubt about it. Because of his injury, Jett Bandy has taken his spot. In addition, the Crew called up Jacob Nottingham to be Bandy’s backup.

Plus, looming in the future is the return of Stephen Vogt from his right shoulder injury. He is expected to return in May after some minor league rehab.

What happens when Pina comes back?

The Brewers have two options. The first is to keep Bandy as the backup and send Jacob Nottingham back to Colorado Springs. It’s probably the best option for the Crew, seeing as Bandy is more experienced.

Nottingham has walked twice in his five plate appearances, but he still has yet to earn his first career big league hit. With Colorado Springs, he boasts a .296 batting average. Bandy‘s .216 big league average isn’t anything spectacular, but his experience will most likely win out.

And, Jett Bandy is out of minor league options. So, if the Milwaukee Brewers choose to keep Nottingham, they will have to designate him for assignment, Then, it is possible another team will pick him up off of waivers.

And when Vogt returns?

It’s safe to say that even if the Milwaukee Brewers choose to keep Jett Bandy for now, they are just putting off the inevitable. When Stephen Vogt comes back in May, Bandy will be DFA’d.

The smarter option would be to just keep Nottingham and let him get some big league experience when Manny Pina needs a day off. Nottingham is likely the catcher of the future, if not short term until another prospect is ready. This includes players like KJ Harrison and Mario Feliciano.

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Though that is what a lot of people would like to see happen, most likely what will happen is Manny Pina will be backed up by Jett Bandy until Stephen Vogt comes back. Then, unless something drastically changes, Bandy will be designated for assignment.