Figuring out what the Brewers can do when the roster gets healthy

The MLB season is often referred to as a marathon. Getting through what can be a grueling 162-game schedule, after two-months of spring training, can seem very daunting, whether it be as a player, manager, or sometimes even a fan.

Players are fortunate if they can make it through the season without spending time on the injured list for at least a stint or two. In the unfortunate event of injury, it is up to the front office and the manager to best negotiate the roster in that player's absence, and then what to do when they return.

Milwaukee is no stranger to injury this year. After surviving the first month or so of the season where it felt like every starting pitcher besides Freddy Peralta was on the IL, the Brewers have weathered that storm and now find themselves in first place in the NL Central. While it was pitchers to start the season, it is now a trio of big bats that Pat Murphy and Matt Arnold need to figure out what to do with in the upcoming days.

Offense is on the way

As good as the Brewers offense has been in the last month or so, they have been without some of their heavy hitters. Rhys Hoskins has been out with a sprained thumb going back to just before the All-Star break. Jake Bauers had a shoulder injury just after the break. Jackson Chourio followed not too long after with a hamstring injury.

All three guys have begun or are scheduled to begin rehab assignments with Triple-A Nashville. In theory, they would each have 30 days to "get up to speed" with the Sounds, but it's unlikely any of them will take that long. Then comes the complicated question of what the team does when they are ready.

There is a possibility that an injury occurs and may make the decision for them. While unfortunate, it would make at least one choice easy. Even a light injury may end up putting someone on the IL, just to get some rest ahead of what the Brewers hope is a long postseason run.

Of course, if this doesn't happen, Matt Arnold and Pat Murphy will have a number of things to consider. With a potential playoff run just around the corner, maximizing talent while maintaining clubhouse chemistry is a tricky balance. Of course, you also need to find consistent playing time for these guys as well.

What choices do the Brewers have?

One potential option for Milwaukee is waiting until roster expansion in September. Unfortunately for the Brewers, though, with the newer rules, the rosters only expand by two spots, up to 28. The Brewers will likely use one of those new roster spots for an additional arm in their bullpen, meaning they would likely only have one of these three position players to fit that role.

If an injury doesn't occur, then Milwaukee will likely need to option a player or two back to Nashville. Anthony Seigler likely feels like the first casualty. While he is versatile and may provide value as a third catcher, he's the most likely guy to be replaced by Rhys Hoskins’ return.

Andruw Monasterio could find himself on the outside looking in as well. He does have a better average than Seigler this season, and of course, a monster home run that helped the Brewers win its franchise record 14th straight game last weekend. Admittedly, this feels unlikely, though, given his ability to play outfield and the other three infield spots.

Brandon Lockridge could be the outfielder that is on the outside looking in among this group. Lockridge has been pretty solid since the Brewers acquired him at the deadline for Nestor Cortes. In 14 games with Milwaukee, Lockridge is hitting .294, with a pair of doubles and a triple, and has worked a number of walks as well. Unfortunately for him, unless Milwaukee waits for roster expansion, Chourio will need a spot, and Lockridge is holding it.

There is another possibility, in that Milwaukee may ultimately not bring back Jake Bauers. At least, not right away. Bauers played an incredibly similar role to Andrew Vaughn, who has thrived since being called up back in early July. The Brewers are certainly set in the outfield, and first base seems to be locked down as well. It is hard to see where Bauers would fit in, outside of an injury. Maybe they will use the full 30 days of his rehab assignment, maybe they will give him one last shot to prove himself on the big league roster, or maybe they will simply cut ties with him, as it's unlikely he, Hoskins, and Vaughn are all on the playoff roster.