Brewers preserve organizational depth with corresponding move for Kyle Harrison's return

After just less than one month on the injured list due to left forearm tightness that popped up just before the All-Star Break, Milwaukee Brewers' breakout southpaw Kyle Harrison is set to return to the rotation tonight for a marquee match-up with Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes.

Harrison's return was well-documented. In fact, the Brewers included him on their list of probables before officially reinstating him from the injured list, previewing an inevitable roster move that just arrived. As announced by the Brewers moments ago, right-handed reliever Grant Anderson has been optioned to Triple-A to open a roster spot for Harrison's return.

Brewers option right-handed reliever Grant Anderson to Triple-A to open roster spot for Kyle Harrison

The Brewers had a few options with their corresponding roster move for Harrison's return, and their ultimate decision is revealing in regard to their pitching plan going forward. In addition to optioning Anderson, the Brewers could have optioned a starting pitcher, with southpaw Robert Gasser being the leading candidate in that regard, or they could have designated right-hander Bryse Wilson for assignment.

The latter of those two alternative options, designating Wilson for assignment, would have cut into the organization's pitching depth, something that manager Pat Murphy noted before yesterday's game that the Brewers always work hard to preserve. Optioning a pitcher like Anderson allows Milwaukee to keep both he and Wilson in the organization in the process of opening a roster spot for Harrison. Additionally, Wilson is off to a decent start with the Brewers, pitching to a 3.38 ERA in his first five appearances out of Milwaukee's bullpen, whereas Anderson has a 6.14 ERA in his last seven appearances.

Meanwhile, the decision to option a reliever down to Triple-A instead of a starter suggests that the Brewers will turn to a six-man rotation for at least the near future. With Harrison starting tonight's game and recent trade deadline acquisition Dustin May slated to pitch in tomorrow's series finale, the Brewers will roll with the trio of Shane Drohan, Robert Gasser, and Jacob Misiorowski in this weekend's series with the Minnesota Twins. Pair that quintet with Logan Henderson, who continues to dominate, and the Brewers currently have six rotation options with Harrison rejoining the starting staff.

It's likely the Brewers flip one of Drohan or Gasser to the bullpen in the near future, but in the midst of 17 games in 17 days, which ends after another trip to the West Coast, it's possible the six-man rotation continues for one more turn. With the Brewers trying to limit the innings of young starters like Misiorowski, Harrison, and Henderson, a six-man rotation may not be the worst idea for the foreseeable future, so long as Milwaukee's bullpen can withstand it.

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