Brewers activate sparkplug outfielder, DFA Wisconsin native to make roster room

The long awaited 2024 debut of Garrett Mitchell is finally here. Mitchell was slated to be the Brewers starting centerfielder coming into the season, but an unfortunate broken finger suffered in batting practice towards the end of spring training kept him on the shelf for the first three months.

After a maximum length rehab assignment where he hit .314/.410/.588 with four homers and four stolen bases over 51 ABs, Mitchell has been activated from the 60 day IL and will be in the lineup Monday night in Colorado.

Manager Pat Murphy told reporters after the game on Sunday that Tyler Black would be optioned to make room on the 26 man roster for Mitchell. However, since Mitchell was coming back off the 60 day IL, he needed a 40 man roster spot as well. The Brewers decided that Fredonia, WI native Owen Miller would be designated for assignment to clear room.

Miller had appeared in just 14 big league games for the Brewers this season with a .185 batting average in 27 ABs. For the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, Miller was hitting .259 with a .726 OPS.

The return of Garrett Mitchell is good news for Brewers

While a three month absence was a little longer than the Brewers initially anticipated for Mitchell, getting him back is a welcome sight. When healthy, Mitchell has been a sparkplug. Since making his debut in late 2022, the 25 year old Mitchell has a career .278/.343/.452 slash line. But that's only happened in 47 games in that time.

Mitchell suffered a shoulder injury in mid-April last year that wiped out almost the entire rest of his season. He was activated during the final week of the regular season. Then, he's missed the first three months this year with a broken bone in his hand.

This does create a bit of a logjam in the outfield, however, which was anticipated coming into the season. Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, and Blake Perkins have been the Brewers regular outfielders this year and all are playing very well and deserving of regular playing time. Manager Pat Murphy doesn't envision anyone losing playing time with Mitchell's return though.

"I think everybody's still gonna play a lot. I don't think it's gonna hurt too many people's playing time" Murphy said on fitting Mitchell back into the roster.

Since Tyler Black has been optioned back down and Owen Miller was designated for assignment, that's two infielders going out to make room for an outfielder. Andruw Monasterio is the lone reserve infielder that can play 2nd base, 3rd base, or shortstop. Jake Bauers is first base or outfield only.

The Brewers are getting closer to full strength with their position player group with Mitchell's return. His ability to hit for average and power with incredible speed should only improve an already strong Brewers lineup.