The Brewers Have One Last Roster Decision to Make

Opening Day is now three days away and while the Brewers have a few days to make it official, it seems like all, but one spot is set for the 26-man roster.

According to Brewers beat writer Curt Hogg, Joey Ortiz, Bryan Hudson, Blake Perkins and Andruw Monasterio have all been informed they have made the roster. However, there was one roster concern that has risen over the weekend.

While there are no reports as to how this injury occurred, Garrett Mitchell has been looking to make his second opening day roster. Coming off a shoulder injury, Mitchell was looking to bounce back and make an impact this spring.

In 14 games and 52 plate appearances, Mitchell is hitting a .319/.385/.426 with a home run and eight RBI. He was projected to play regular time in centerfield and a potential platoon spot with Perkins. He was a shoe in to make the roster barring any injury but would’ve kept another hot bat off the roster.

Ever since Gary Sanchez signed with the Brewers, Eric Haase was on the outs. Haase signed a one-year deal with the team back in December where he’d make one million should he make the roster. Now on the bubble he knew he had to do whatever it takes to be there at the start of the season.

While it has been stated the team wasn’t interested in keeping three catchers on the roster, Haase is making it a little difficult to cut him. In 42 plate appearances he has hit a .378 batting average with a 1.236 OPS and is tied for the second most home runs this spring (four) only behind Willy Adames who has six.

The Crew still have a few days to lock in their roster to start the season. If Mitchell is good to go, Haase will more than likely be cut from the roster. Because he doesn’t have any more minor league options, the team will have to remove him from the 40-man roster and will have to be placed on revocable waivers where he could be claimed by any team. Judging by his spring training stats, there might be some interest in the player.

The Brewers could start Mitchell on the 10-day injured list giving Haase a chance to translate his spring training stats to the regular season. Consider it to be his last stand. He does have limited experience in the outfield so he could slide into a backup role for both catcher and the outfield.

Assuming Mitchell is good to go and barring any other injuries, here what the projected roster looks like for the Brewers:

Catcher: William Contreras, Gary Sanchez

First Base: Rhys Hoskins, Jake Bauers

Second Base: Brice Turang

Third Base: Andruw Monasterio, Joey Ortiz

Shortstop: Willy Adames

Outfield: Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Blake Perkins

Starting Rotation: Freddy Peralta, Jakob Junis, Colin Rea, DL Hall, Joe Ross 

Bullpen: Bryan Hudson, Trevor Megill, Hoby Milner, Joel Payamps, Elvis Peguero, Abner Uribe, Bryse Wilson, Thyago Vieira

IL: Wade Miley, Devin Williams, Taylor Clarke

Other than Haase, no other player will need to be placed on revocable waivers. This will leave the 40-man roster at 39. This will give the flexibility to add a player like Robert Gasser or Tyler Black to the roster without having to designate a player for assignment.

The projected roster also suggests right-handed pitcher J.B. Bukauskas will start this season on the Triple A roster. Bukauskas was rewarded with an additional minor league option this offseason giving the organization flexibility to send him down without having to place him on waivers. Over the spring, he struck out 16 batters in 9 2/3 innings, a 3.72 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.

Wade Miley is expected to go on rehab assignments at the start of the season and could be ready by mid-April. When that time comes, the Brewers will have another decision to make. Until then, these Brewers will be ready for March 28 when they take on the New York Mets.

What do you think of the Brewers roster? Would you like to see Eric Haase on the opening day roster? Will Garrett Mitchell start the season on the IL? Let us know.