Brewers reportedly promoting top outfield prospect ahead of doubleheader in St. Louis

The Milwaukee Brewers are set to play two games against the St. Louis Cardinals today, after a rainout back in May was rescheduled, somewhat controversially, for the middle of the two NL Central rivals' four-game series right before the All-Star Break. As a result, the Brewers are set to play eight games in seven days this week as they round out a 27-game-in-27-days stretch leading up to the midseason break.

To make matters worse, injuries to two of Milwaukee's key contributors have popped up in the last few days. Veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff landed back on the IL, once again with shoulder inflammation, following his Independence Day start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Then, last night, infielder David Hamilton pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury as he was turning back for second base following his key RBI double in the seventh inning.

As a result, Brewers fans were expecting a pair of roster moves over the course of today's doubleheader. One, which dates back to a move they made last week, is expected to be the promotion of left-hander Robert Gasser to serve as the 27th man and start Game 2 of today's twin bill. Gasser was sent to the minor leagues less than 15 days ago, which would generally mean he can't rejoin the roster unless he's replacing an injured player, but those rules don't apply to the extra roster spot teams are awarded for doubleheaders.

Meanwhile, the second roster move was expected to replace Hamilton, suggesting that the Brewers would be promoting an infielder capable of manning third base prior to today's doubleheader. However, just moments ago, MLB insider Daniel Álvarez Montes of El Extrabase delivered a shocking report that now complicates Milwaukee's presumed roster moves. As reported by Álvarez, Milwaukee is promoting top outfield prospect Luis Lara to the major league roster for his MLB debut.

Luis Lara's reported promotion suggests another roster move or major positional change is in the works

The news is shocking, not because Lara isn't ready for the big leagues -- his .902 OPS in 78 Triple-A games this year clearly indicates that he is -- but rather because there doesn't appear to be a clear spot for him on the Brewers' roster. The Brewers and manager Pat Murphy have constantly reiterated that they won't promote a top prospect unless everyday playing time is available. In other words, they won't promote Lara just for him to sit on the bench.

However, Lara, who is a minor league Gold Glove-winning outfielder, isn't filling in at third base for the injured Hamilton, suggesting either another roster move is in the works or the Sal Frelick third base experiment is starting once again. Frelick, who is a Gold Glove-winning outfielder himself, has played just five major league innings at third base throughout his career, but logged 67 innings at the hot corner in spring training two years ago and worked at the position with Boston Red Sox legend Dustin Pedroia.

If Frelick isn't switching over to third base, a move that feels unlikely at this time, Lara's reported promotion indicates a far worse reality. If the Brewers really won't call up the switch-hitting outfield prospect without everyday opportunities available, his promotion indicates that an injury has opened up those opportunities. Presumably, that injury would have to have occurred to Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, or Jackson Chourio for Lara to earn an everyday role in the big-league outfield.

This is a developing story, and Lara's promotion is not yet finalized. However, should Hamilton end up going on the IL and Lara's promotion go through, expect the roster move to be accompanied by another.

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