Sal Frelick to clear necessary hurdle in rehab process as return to Brewers' roster draws nearer

The Milwaukee Brewers don't necessarily need another outfielder right now. Already with a crowded group of Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, Luis Lara, and Jake Bauers, playing time for Milwaukee's fifth outfielder, Brandon Lockridge, has been hard to come by.

Rather, what the Brewers' roster clearly needs right now is an infielder. With rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt on the IL due to a hamstring strain and star second baseman Brice Turang nursing some knee soreness that kept him out of Thursday night's lineup, the Brewers have been forced to get creative with their infield group. Andrew Vaughn has logged three starts at third base over the last five games, despite not having started a game at the hot corner since the 2021 season. David Hamilton, meanwhile, made just his fifth start of the season at second base last night. On top of their required infield shuffle, the Brewers signed former Pittsburgh Pirates utility man Jihwan Bae to a minor league deal to fill in as needed, despite Bae not making a single appearance in the big leagues this year before joining the Brew Crew.

All that to say, the Brewers could use an addition to their infield group, but it's outfielder Sal Frelick whose return from the IL feels imminent. Though Frelick does have three appearances at third base (five total innings) throughout his four years in the big leagues, the fact that the Gold Glove-winning outfielder landed on the IL with a shoulder strain doesn't bode well for him serving as a temporary replacement at the hot corner. Regardless, Frelick, whose effort-packed style of play seems to be infectious, rejoining the team will be a welcome development for Pat Murphy's squad. That return should come sooner rather than later now that Frelick is prepared to clear a necessary hurdle in his rehab process tonight.

Sal Frelick to make first start in RF of rehab assignment, suggesting his return to the Brewers' roster is approaching

Frelick was sent on a rehab assignment to Triple-A back on August 8, but the Brewers' outfielder eased back into game action by serving as the Sounds' DH for the first four games of his stint in Nashville. Frelick, who felt the shoulder strain when making a throw from the right-field corner, was okay to swing, but it took a little longer for him to be able to throw again. However, as just announced by the Nashville Sounds, Frelick is set to start tonight's game against the Indianapolis Indians, the Pirates' Triple-A team, in right field, which will be the first time he's played the field since July 17.

During his rehab assignment, Frelick has three hits in 11 at-bats, one of which was a double. He's drawn three walks while striking out just once, and has yet to attempt a stolen base.

As previously noted, the Brewers' current outfield picture looks rather crowded. Playing time allotment over the last two weeks suggests that Lockridge will be optioned to Triple-A upon Frelick's return, leaving Murphy with the switch-hitting Lara and Chourio as his two right-handed hitting outfielders. With Frelick back to playing the field, that roster move could come as early as next Tuesday, when the Brewers kick off a two-series homestand with a matchup against the Seattle Mariners.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow