Brewers continue search for outfield production with latest reunion deal

Cahna returns after the team announced Blake Perkins will miss time with a fractured shin
Wild Card Series - Arizona Diamondbacks v Milwaukee Brewers - Game Two
Wild Card Series - Arizona Diamondbacks v Milwaukee Brewers - Game Two | Patrick McDermott/GettyImages

When Spring Training began, the one area of the team the Milwaukee Brewers really didn't need to concern themselves with was its outfield. With proven talent in guys like Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, Blake Perkins, and Jackson Chourio all playing down the stretch last season, and the return of Chrisitan Yelich, Milwaukee seemed to be set with that unit. The team did add Manuel Margot on Friday afternoon as a bit of insurance, just in case.

Well it seems that the insurance will be needed, as the team announced Blake Perkins will be out until at least May, as he recovers from a broken shin, after fouling off a pitch off his leg. With Margot already in the fold, those in the Brewers front office decided to add another bat to camp.

News broke late Saturday evening that the Brewers were reuniting with Mark Cahna, as reported by Jon Heyman.

Mark Canha returns to Brewers on minor league deal

Canha was a big piece for the Brewers playoff run in 2023, when the team acquired him from the Mets at the trade deadline. In the remaining 50 games for the team, he was fantastic, slashing .287/.337/.427 with five homeruns and 33 RBI.

After the 2023 season, the team traded Canha to Detroit for minor league pitcher Blake Holub. The Tigers were able to flip him at the trade deadline to the San Francisco Giants, who let him go after the season, despite Canha slashing .288/.376/.329 over the latter part of the season.

Besides outfield depth, Canha provides the Brewers with another option at 1B. While he may not have the home run numbers of Rhys Hoskins, he is able to reach base at a better clip. He also has played 3rd base in the past, although in very limited stints.

Is bringing Canha back like to change the entire course of the 2025 season? Probably not, but these are the type of moves good teams make to protect against injuries during the season. With Perkins already getting hurt in spring training, that seems to be a very good idea.

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