The Brewers announced on Friday that they’ve placed Ryan Braun on the 10-day disabled list due to a strained left calf muscle. In a corresponding move, the Brewers have selected the contract of former Athletics infielder Eric Sogard from Triple-A Colorado Springs. The Brewers had an open 40-man roster spot, so no additional move is needed to accommodate Sogard’s addition.
[Related: Updated Milwaukee Brewers Depth Chart]
The 33-year-old Braun is off to an excellent start in 2017, hitting .287/.374/.574 with seven homers, six doubles and four steals through 107 plate appearances. However, he’s also been slowed as of late by a balky calf muscle and has been dealing with a bit of forearm pain as well. His DL stint, which was made retroactive to yesterday, will theoretically give him time to rest up both of those seemingly minor maladies. The hope, per manager Craig Counsell (via MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM, on Twitter), is that Braun won’t be out long at all.
Braun has been in headlines recently due to the fact that he’s slated to gain 10-and-5 rights this weekend (10 years of MLB service time, the past five with the same team), which will afford him full veto power over any proposed trades that would send him to another team. Of course, Braun’s existing contract already came with significant no-trade protection, as it allowed him to block trades to 23 clubs. While he previously could’ve been shipped to any of the five California-based teams or the Marlins without his consent, he’ll now have a say in any potential trade.
Braun, however, has suggested that his impending 10-and-5 right don’t figure to change much about his potential trade candidacy. Braun has reportedly been most open to a deal to the Dodgers, and FanRag’s Jon Heyman wrote again yesterday that the Dodgers may be the only team to which Braun would approve a deal.
As for Sogard, he’ll return to the Majors after missing the entire 2016 season due to knee surgery. Considered a premium defender in the infield (with his best position being second base), Sogard was also off to a fast start in Colorado Springs, slashing .330/.421/.516 with three homers and a 5-for-5 showing in stolen base attempts. Of course, Colorado Springs (and the Pacific Coast League in general) is considered a very hitter-friendly atmosphere, and Sogard’s track record at the plate in the Majors is considerably more limited. In 1331 big league plate appearances, all of which have come with the A’s, the 30-year-old Sogard is a .239/.295/.313 hitter.
Haha so no brinson. Why win when you can save money
why start a service clock when you aren’t competing this year anyways?
Touché
Who said they aren’t contending. They’re fine and its 5 weeks into the season lol
not saying its impossible. but considering our pitching staff, the GM doing a complete tear-down of the team, and publicly stating it will be a 3-4 year rebuild before contention is possible, I’m inclined to believe postseason baseball is not a likely outcome.
Hahaha, someone thinks bringing up brinson is a good idea.
What’s the hurry by bringing up Brinson anyway? Last I checked Broxton was on a tear
Exactly. No need to rush any of the highly touted prospects at this point.
Let brinson grow in AAA for a min. Still has too many strikeouts. He is going to be a special player to watch in Milwaukee. Excited to go to some games when they bring him up though.
I might be in the minority, I would love to see braun gone sooner then later. Have never been a big fan of him(although he is a great offensive player). I wanted to keep Prince Fielder.
So did the Brewers.
prince fielder’s fleeting performance and his career ending prematurely is something the brewers will have to live with knowing they should’ve signed him rather than braun. i also believe in voodoo dolls and county fair fortune tellers
Sogard made Stearns look pretty smart his first night back in the bigs: he started at SS, and went 1 – 1 with two walks and a 2-run homer.