Milwaukee Brewers: Travis Shaw set to return?

The Milwaukee Brewers are expected to place starter Jhoulys Chacin on the Injured List, and recall third baseman Travis Shaw from the Minors prior to the start of Friday’s game. How will the lineup shake out, and what will the team do with the rotation?

It looks like someone in the Milwaukee Brewers front office noticed Travis Shaw‘s hot streak at Triple-A. With Jhoulys Chacin requiring a trip to the Injured List, the Brewers need to add someone to the roster. While most thought a starting pitcher would be brought in to fill the gap in the rotation, the team is expected to go another route, and recall Shaw.

What does this mean for the lineup, and what about the rotation?

How did Shaw do in Triple-A?

It looks like he found himself. After struggling with the Milwaukee Brewers for the first few months of the season, Shaw appears to have rediscovered his stroke. In his last 15 games, Shaw has blasted eight homers, and posted a 1.439 OPS.

How does Shaw fit in on the roster?

Well, Milwaukee Brewers manager will have to mix-and-match the infield to accommodate Shaw. Mike Moustakas has been handling third base. Keston Hiura looks like he’s going to spend the next decade at second base. Jesus Aguilar and Eric Thames have been locked in a platoon at first base.

There isn’t an obvious spot for Shaw to get every day at-bats. Part of the problem is that the Brewers don’t really need to platoon anywhere except first base. Moustakas and Hiura have been capable against lefties and righties. Shaw has been woeful against lefties, and solid against righties for most of his career. The only hope for Shaw to get regular at-bats is if he’s able to take them away from other hitters who have been out-producing him.

Unless there’s an injury to the infield, it’s hard to picture Shaw filling a regular role. The team can move him around the infield and give him pinch hit opportunities against righties, but he’s not supplanting Hiura or Moustakas from playing every day.

The good news is that they will field a DH in the upcoming series against the A’s in Oakland, and they can take advantage of an off day to avoid having to find a fifth starter for an extra week.

How about the rotation?

The Milwaukee Brewers have three able-bodied starters and Freddy Peralta on the active roster. Peralta is all but assured of another chance to start. What the Brewers do with the fifth spot in the rotation could depend on what happens as they inch towards the deadline.

If the Brewers add another starter through the trade market, they won’t need to find a fifth starter from within the organization. There are a ton of options rumored to be available, but the Brewers are at a disadvantage. Every team in the league knows they have to find another starter, and it may be hard to swing a deal with every GM trying to squeeze the most value in a deal.

The Milwaukee Brewers have a few days before they have to make a decision on their rotation and can see how the market plays out. The team has their rotation set for the upcoming series with the Chicago Cubs and then they have an off day. They don’t have a starter announced for June 30th against the Oakland A’s. Peralta could make that start, and then roll out the three healthy starters still on the roster before having to add a starting pitcher.