Brewers' leadoff hitter returns ahead of Saturday night's game with Marlins

The Milwaukee Brewers' offense looked rather lifeless in front of a sellout crowd at American Family Field on Friday night. After a 17-hit, 10-run affair in their series finale against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday afternoon, the Brewers' offense managed just four hits against Cal Quantrill, who entered Friday night with a 5.24 ERA, and the Marlins' lackluster bullpen.

The team appears in need of a spark to get them back into the winning column, where they lived for more than two weeks (yes, four of those days were during the All-Star Break). Ahead of their second matchup of the weekend with the Florida Fish, a contest that pits former Brewer Janson Junk against the wily veteran José Quintana, the Brewers are getting back one of their key pieces who is sure to add some energy back to the Brewers' lineup.

As announced by the team just moments ago, Sal Frelick is returning to the active roster ahead of Saturday night's game. Frelick ended up spending just one extra day on the 10-day IL after going down with a minor hamstring strain in the final game before the All-Star Break. While Brice Turang filled in admirably as the leadoff hitter in Frelick's stead, posting an impressive slash line of .300/.344/.467 in the seven games that the team has played since the All-Star Break — all of which Frelick has been on the IL for — there's just something about Frelick at the top of the order that sets the tone for the rest of the game.

Perhaps it's Frelick's near .300 average, or his ability to make contact with seemingly any pitch, or the fact that he goes max effort down to first base on any ground ball that he hits. Whatever it may be, it's clear that the Brewers offense has benefitted immensely from manager Pat Murphy switching Frelick to the leadoff spot several weeks ago. Now, with Frelick back in the lineup, the Brewers' offense is ready to redeem itself after a disappointing showing on Friday night.

Tyler Black sent to Triple-A to make room for Sal Frelick on the active roster

In a somewhat surprising corresponding roster move, the Brewers optioned Tyler Black to Triple-A Nashville to make room on the big league roster for Frelick's return. I say somewhat surprising because while Black was the most recent addition to the Brewers big league roster, his demotion leaves the team with just one true first baseman in Andrew Vaughn.

Given Vaughn's output since joining the Brewers major league roster on July 7 and the fact that both Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler could fill in at first base if needed, losing Black to the minor leagues is not too much of a concern for Pat Murphy and company.

However, Black was off to a solid start in his second stint in the big leagues, as he collected two hits, one of which was a double, two walks, and an RBI in three games. While the upside that Black's bat offers is seemingly higher than Monasterio's (and Seigler's for that matter), Mona has survived roster move after roster move, suggesting that he must add value to the team in ways other than his play on the field.

Regardless of the corresponding move, having Frelick back with the big league club is excellent news.