Tyler Black, Shane Drohan Called Up By Brewers

[patrickgpe]

the long rumored move of Tyler Black coming up is happened. You would have to believe this is his last chance before loosing prospect status.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/04/brewers-designate-luis-matos-for-assignment.html

[Thurston Fluff]

Black is one of those guys I've always liked for no discernible reason. Hope this time he gets enough regular ab's to show he belongs. I'm also interested to see what Drohan does in the pen. I think he might have a better future there than the rotation. 

[titanrick]

Any other old guys see Molitor when they look at Black.  Similar game but moreso in looks.  Hoping he can become an ignitor too.

[Steve Drumwright]

 

The Luis Matos experiment is over. It is now Tyler Black's opportunity.

The Milwaukee Brewers called up Black, a first baseman, and left-hander Shane Drohan from Triple-A Nashville on Friday. Matos, an outfielder, was designated for assignment for the second time this season, while right-hander Carlos Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A.

The 25-year-old Black was one of the Crew's top hitters during spring training, posting a crazy .550/.522/1.000 slash line with one homer and 14 RBIs in six Cactus League games. The trouble for Black, who is known for his bat and not his glove with a .270/.399/.441 career minor-league slash line, is hitting when given the chance at the MLB level.

In 23 games with the Brewers, Black has a .211/.357/.263 slash line with no homers and three RBIs over 70 plate appearances. At Nashville this season, Black has a .282/.378/.410 slash line with one homer and six RBIs.

The addition of Black, a left-handed hitter like Jake Bauers, could mean that Bauers sees more time in left field with Black getting chances at first base. The Brewers have been looking for ways to get more out of their offense with three starting position players, outfielder Jackson Chourio, designated hitter Christian Yelich and first baseman Andrew Vaughn, on the injured list and this could be a way. This is Black's first call-up this season after not making the Opening Day roster due to the presence of Bauers and Vaughn at first base.

Matos was a possible solution for a bit of offense when Chourio began the season on the IL. The Brewers picked Matos up in a March 30 trade after he was DFA'd by the San Francisco Giants after not making the Opening Day roster there. But in nine games with the Crew, Matos had a slash line of .200/.238/.200 with no homers or RBIs and seven strikeouts in 20 at-bats. If Matos goes unclaimed on the waiver wire, he could be assigned to Nashville or released.

Drohan is back for his second stint with the Brewers after getting a spot start April 8 vs. the Boston Red Sox, his previous team. Acquired in the six-player Caleb Durbin trade, Drohan lasted just 2⅔ innings, allowing three hits and four walks with two strikeouts. Barring a rotation move, Drohan is likely to fill Rodriguez's spot as a long man out of the bullpen.

Rodriguez did well in his two relief appearances since being called up last weekend. He pitched two innings in mopup duty against the Miami Marlins on Sunday and the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and no walks with five strikeouts.

 

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[Outlander]

Both Black and Bauers have played outfield, not sure who would be considered the better defender. Would think they called Black up with the intention to start him against at least two of the three Pirate right handed starting pitchers.

[folly412]

This frees up a 40-man spot vs. optioning Jones or Perkins.  Another move coming in a couple days perhaps?  Lara would be the big one.  Jett is slumping again but is still going to happen eventually.  Or one of the two BP arms that have yet to be scored on and are getting more than 1K/IP? 

[Thurston Fluff]

7 minutes ago, folly412 said:

This frees up a 40-man spot vs. optioning Jones or Perkins.  Another move coming in a couple days perhaps?  Lara would be the big one.  Jett is slumping again but is still going to happen eventually.  Or one of the two BP arms that have yet to be scored on and are getting more than 1K/IP? 

I think it has more to do with wanting to get more offensive production. It doesn't hurt to have the open spot but I don't think it was done to open a spot for a future move.

[SoCalBrewfan]

The OF has collectively been below replacement level, and they didn't really have an obvious lefty dh after losing Yelich, with Bauers seeing more time at first. All of that means this could be a nice little mini window for Black to establish himself. I'd imagine he'd have been up earlier were it not for his own IL trip. I have always been a fan though objectively he has had a rough couple of seasons for various reasons. Seems like Chourio is not too far from hitting again, and the perceived need is for a RHH, but it's not hard to imagine Perkins going down for Chourio if Black does well.

Matos should probably clear waivers but who knows. Did anyone see anything to make us want to keep him?

[yourout]

2 hours ago, patrickgpe said:

the long rumored move of Tyler Black coming up is happened. You would have to believe this is his last chance before loosing prospect status.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/04/brewers-designate-luis-matos-for-assignment.html

Lets see if they can fix that goofy front foot lift.

[wiguy94]

19 minutes ago, SoCalBrewfan said:

The OF has collectively been below replacement level, and they didn't really have an obvious lefty dh after losing Yelich, with Bauers seeing more time at first. All of that means this could be a nice little mini window for Black to establish himself. I'd imagine he'd have been up earlier were it not for his own IL trip. I have always been a fan though objectively he has had a rough couple of seasons for various reasons. Seems like Chourio is not too far from hitting again, and the perceived need is for a RHH, but it's not hard to imagine Perkins going down for Chourio if Black does well.

Matos should probably clear waivers but who knows. Did anyone see anything to make us want to keep him?

Doesn't sound like Black will be playing much of any LF while he's up according to Murphy.

[igor67]

Black is due for a few favorable bounces, and I think that could be enough to given that generally he has been known for having solid ABs and steals which just fits right in with the philosophy. Get comfortably and it's probably easier to slide into a lesser role later as other guys come back.

[Jopal78]

2 hours ago, titanrick said:

Any other old guys see Molitor when they look at Black.  Similar game but moreso in looks.  Hoping he can become an ignitor too.

That’s a big no for me. Although, this is probably the best shot Black has received so far, or is likely going to get. As a first round pick out of college 5 years ago, they should really see if he has what it takes to be a major leaguer and they really could use some consistent offense.  

[Samurai Bucky]

On 4/24/2026 at 3:12 PM, Thurston Fluff said:

Black is one of those guys I've always liked for no discernible reason. Hope this time he gets enough regular ab's to show he belongs. I'm also interested to see what Drohan does in the pen. I think he might have a better future there than the rotation. 

Is it because when he gets his 5 o'clock shadow, he looks like Joey Votto?

    

 

I swear that he looks more like Votto when I'm watching on TV.  It's probably just me... 😉  Maybe I have been secretly influenced by Rorschach (the inkblot test guy).

[JohnBriggs12]

With all due respect to Tyler Black, Greg Jones, and Blake Perkins, I think it's time to free Luis Lara.    

Putting Black and Molitor in the same sentence is a joke and I saw Molitor's first game in the big leagues.  

[Thurston Fluff]

32 minutes ago, JohnBriggs12 said:

With all due respect to Tyler Black, Greg Jones, and Blake Perkins, I think it's time to free Luis Lara.    

Putting Black and Molitor in the same sentence is a joke and I saw Molitor's first game in the big leagues.  

You think putting a guy with a career minor league OPS of .720 is a better option for a struggling offense than a guy who has a career minor league OPS of .839? I get he's off to a hot start but he's only had 25 games above AA and he had a 712 OPS in AA last season. He has a high floor with his defense but why risk his development based on 25 games?

[Lathund]

7 hours ago, Samurai Bucky said:

Is it because when he gets his 5 o'clock shadow, he looks like Joey Votto?

    

 

I swear that he looks more like Votto when I'm watching on TV.  It's probably just me... 😉  Maybe I have been secretly influenced by Rorschach (the inkblot test guy).

One is a LHH 1B from Toronto with a great eye at the plate, and so is the other. 

[titanrick]

I see more Molitor than Votto, but to each his own!

[liveforoctober]

43 minutes ago, titanrick said:

I see more Molitor than Votto, but to each his own!

He is like a mix of Molitor and Zac Efron.

[Brian]

On 4/24/2026 at 3:18 PM, titanrick said:

Any other old guys see Molitor when they look at Black.  Similar game but moreso in looks.  Hoping he can become an ignitor too.

Glad you said "in looks"  because  Black would be about 400 at bats per year short and .100 short on his batting average and missing an extra 15 home runs per year in MLB stats. 

[CheezWizHed]

1 hour ago, liveforoctober said:

He is like a mix of Molitor and Zac Efron.

[Jopal78]

[Brian]

[Jim French Stepstool]

54 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

Thanks for the captions. I almost thought the guy in the baseball uni was Efron😁.

Votto always reminds me of a day in '08, we were sitting near the visitors' on deck circle & it was his birthday. Tried to use the b'day reference, anything to divert his attention. No luck, stone face, just totally focused. But we did get a chuckle out of Chris Dickerson, a future Brewer who pinch hit later. I claim partial credit for him K'ing.