Brewers option two rookie right-handers to Triple-A to make room for trade deadline additions

After allowing a leadoff single to Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Endy Rodríguez in the fourth inning of last night's series opener, Milwaukee Brewers rookie starter Brandon Sproat proceeded to throw back-to-back wild pitches while facing shortstop Jacob Gonzalez, allowing Rodríguez to advance to third base. Before Sproat could finish his at-bat with Gonzalez, Brewers manager Pat Murphy emerged from the dugout and signaled to his bullpen to bring in fellow rookie right-hander Garrett Stallings, ending Sproat's start after just three discouraging innings.

After the game, Murphy noted that he and Matt Arnold were going to sit down with Sproat and discuss his role moving forward. With breakout left-hander Kyle Harrison returning from the injured list and the Brewers adding veteran starter Dustin May ahead of the trade deadline, a performance like the one Sproat turned in last night did not bode well for the rookie starter remaining in the rotation going forward.

Just moments ago, the outcome of Murphy and Arnold's conversation with Sproat was revealed. The Brewers, in order to make room on their roster for their recent trade additions, have optioned Sproat to Triple-A. In addition, Stallings, who was the MVP of last night's series opener, is headed back down to Triple-A.

Brewers option Brandon Sproat, Garrett Stallings to Triple-A to make room for Dustin May, Antonio Senzatela on the active roster

The writing was on the wall for Sproat, who was at the end of the Brewers' rotation depth chart with two additions (Harrison and May) on their way. It's been a frustrating rookie campaign for the 25-year-old Sproat, but one that has made clear his potential as a big-league starter. While showing flashes of excellence, Sproat has struggled with consistency, and the result to this point has been a 5.27 ERA in 21 outings. The young right-hander will now head to Nashville to try and work out the command issues that have plagued him all season.

Stallings, meanwhile, catches the short end of the stick, as he's coming off his best outing in the big leagues. However, as one of the optionable relievers in the Brewers' bullpen, and the one who was lowest on Milwaukee's relief pitcher depth chart, he was expected to surrender his spot to Senzatela regardless of how well he pitched last night. Stallings has yet to allow an earned run in four appearances with the big-league club this year, and his three-inning performance last night saved Sproat's short outing. Should the Brewers need to tap back into their relief depth before the end of the season, which feels like a certainty, Stallings remains a solid option.

Meanwhile, May and Senzatela have officially joined the roster less than 24 hours after being acquired at the trade deadline. Asked to describe what Brewers fans are getting from him, May said, "a guy with a lot of fight. I definitely show a lot of emotion on the mound, but yeah, I'm very fiery, and you'll be able to see that on Thursday." As May noted, he will make his Brewers debut on Thursday, in the series finale against the Pirates. Milwaukee hasn't made official how they will adjust the rest of their rotation, but expect Kyle Harrison to rejoin the group very soon.

Senzatela, on the other hand, has officially joined the Brewers' bullpen and is available to pitch as early as tonight. The veteran right-hander last pitched on July 31, so he should be more than fresh to cover at least one inning out of the Brewers' bullpen tonight if Pat Murphy needs him to.

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