Brewers Give Robert Gasser A Break With Minors Assignment

[Steve Drumwright]

With 17 games in 17 days, you knew there would be moves to keep the Milwaukee Brewers' bullpen fresh. This one, though, has more of an odd feel to it.

The Brewers on Tuesday optioned left-handed starter Robert Gasser to the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and selected the contract of right-handed starter Garrett Stallings from Triple-A Nashville. The Brewers had an opening on their 40-man roster to accommodate Stallings' promotion for his MLB debut.

Gasser had a solid outing in Monday's series opening against the Cincinnati Reds, going 5⅔ and giving up three runs on seven hits with one walk and five strikeouts. The move to the ACL generally indicates a team giving a player a break to get some planned rest. Gasser is in his first full MLB season following Tommy John surgery at the beginning of the 2024 season. Combined with his minor-league time, Gasser threw just 43⅔ regular-season innings. He currently is at 62⅔ innings this year between Nashville and the Brewers just past the midpoint of the season.

In seven MLB starts this year, Gasser has a 4.98 FIP (4.54ERA) with an 8.4% walk rate and 23.4% strikeout rate.

Stallings is a 28-year-old who was drafted in 2019 in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Angels. He was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in May 2024 in a minor trade and has been at Nashville since. This year in 12 starts and four relief appearances, Stallings has a 3.45 ERA in 62⅔ innings, walking 22 and striking out 59. He will provide another length option for the Brewers, possibly even making a spot start.

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[adambr2]

Well that is a very nice way to word “enormous paycut”.!

I get it though, they need an arm in this stretch. 

[formerlybis]

Interesting. This is not a name I've heard discussed. They could still bring Gasser back for one of the DH games in STL next Tuesday. 

[liveforoctober]

36 minutes ago, formerlybis said:

Interesting. This is not a name I've heard discussed. They could still bring Gasser back for one of the DH games in STL next Tuesday. 

This is a good thought. Good way to utilize the DH quirk by adding some innings to the bullpen now by making that roster spot a shuttle position while not exactly taking Gasser completely out of the rotation.

[folly412]

Nice to see Stallings.  One of those guys who's not really considered a prospect but put in the work to earn a call-up and at least become a major leaguer.

[BruisedCrew]

I wonder what that does to the 6 man rotation. If they had stuck with that Gasser would have pitched Sunday in Arizona after Harrison and Woodruff. 

Is it possible that Henderson will be back for a start next week?

[wiguy94]

4 minutes ago, BruisedCrew said:

I wonder what that does to the 6 man rotation. If they had stuck with that Gasser would have pitched Sunday in Arizona after Harrison and Woodruff. 

Is it possible that Henderson will be back for a start next week?

This is how roster resource is projecting out our SP through the end of the St. Louis series. I'd guess Gasser is the 27th man for the doubleheader. If this is what happens then Sproat, Drohan, Misiorowski, and Harrison would each make a start on 4 days rest from 7/5 to 7/8.

[BruisedCrew]

I also wonder if they are planning to, use  Misiorowski on Sunday in Pittsburgh, which would effectively take him out of pitching in the ASG.

Or maybe they use the All Star break to give both Misiorowski and Harrison a lengthy break except for ASG activities. I don’t know if Harrison will make the All Star team. He has the credentials, but these days they seem to lean toward a couple of starters and a legion of closers. 

Today’s move makes sense to add another pitcher to eat innings while Gasser would have been unavailable anywaypi

[wiguy94]

8 minutes ago, BruisedCrew said:

I also wonder if they are planning to, use  Misiorowski on Sunday in Pittsburgh, which would effectively take him out of pitching in the ASG.

Or maybe they use the All Star break to give both Misiorowski and Harrison a lengthy break except for ASG activities. I don’t know if Harrison will make the All Star team. He has the credentials, but these days they seem to lean toward a couple of starters and a legion of closers. 

Today’s move makes sense to add another pitcher to eat innings while Gasser would have been unavailable anywaypi

I don't think they would do that. He can use the ASG as his in routine start then coming out of the ASB he can pitch towards the back of the rotation. Basically a way for him to skip a start in the order. 

So he starts on 7/7 then pitches in the ASG on 7/14 then pitches 7/20 or 7/21 coming out of the ASB. Basically gives him 2 weeks off but keeps him in his routine with the ASG. They basically did this same exact thing last year. He started 7/8 then pitched in the ASG on 7/15 then started on 7/22 coming out of the ASB

[formerlybis]

2 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

I don't think they would do that. He can use the ASG as his in routine start then coming out of the ASB he can pitch towards the back of the rotation. Basically a way for him to skip a start in the order. 

Not clear what you think they won't do. The rotation should be set up for Woodruff/Sproat/Drohan in PIT, though that Sunday-before-ASB always has possibilities for one-inning appearances by guys like Miz or Harrison (probably not Henderson, but who knows). 

[wiguy94]

1 minute ago, formerlybis said:

Not clear what you think they won't do. The rotation should be set up for Woodruff/Sproat/Drohan in PIT, though that Sunday-before-ASB always has possibilities for one-inning appearances by guys like Miz or Harrison (probably not Henderson, but who knows). 

I was saying I don't think they would start Misiorowski the game before the ASB so he can't pitch in the ASG.