Milwaukee Brewers Claim Chi Chi Gonzalez from Minnesota Twins

Darren Wolfson noted that Minnesota Twins depth starter Chi Chi Gonzalez exercised an opt out in his contract on June 9. He had started for Minnesota in Toronto just a few days earlier after the roster was ravaged by injury and unvaccinated players. Following that start, Gonzalez was sent back to Triple-A St. Paul. Still at Triple-A, the opportunity to exercise an opt out came into play.

With 48 hours to make a decision on Gonzalez, Minnesota decided to add him back to the 40 man roster and allow him to start in the big leagues on Saturday June 11 against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was again largely ineffective and handed another DFA after the game.

This time, Gonzalez was claimed on waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers. Still looking for viable arms in the starting rotation following a couple of key injuries, the Brew Crew seems willing to take a chance on the veteran arm. In doing so, they moved Freddy Peralta to the 60-day injured list. This doesn’t ultimately end Peralta’s season, but his injury has never been viewed as a short term situation.

Gonzalez was hit around plenty in the National League last year with the Colorado Rockies. Maybe Milwaukee can capture lightning in a bottle for a period of time.