The Brewers have selected the contract of veteran right-hander J.J. Hoover, according to a team press release. In corresponding moves to create 25-man and 40-man roster space, righty Brandon Woodruff was optioned to Triple-A and left-hander Tyler Webb was designated for assignment.
After a rough 2016 season, Hoover signed a minors contract with the Diamondbacks in January 2017 and ended up getting his career back on track with a decent year in the desert. Hoover posted a 3.92 ERA and 11.76 K/9 over 41 1/3 innings for the D’Backs, though his effectiveness was belied by some control problems (5.66 BB/9) and trouble keeping the ball in the park (15.2% home run rate). Batters did manage quite a bit of solid contact against Hoover (35.3% hard-hit ball rate), though the righty may have also had some bad luck in his results, as evidenced by a .367 BABIP and a 84.1% strand rate.
Hoover was projected by MLBTR to earn $1.6MM through the arbitration process last winter, but the D’Backs instead non-tendered him. The Brewers inked Hoover to a minor league deal in January that, since Hoover has now reached the big league roster, will pay the 30-year-old $1.1MM in guaranteed salary, plus another $1.65MM is available in incentives.
Hoover does have some closing experience dating back to his days with the Reds, and it’s possible he could snag a save opportunity or two as part of the closer committee the Brewers will employ with Corey Knebel on the disabled list. In the short term, however, Hoover’s arrival may just represent a need for a fresh arm, as Milwaukee’s bullpen ranks third in baseball with 36 2/3 innings pitched during this young season. Woodruff made two appearances out of the pen, though he also started last night’s game, allowing two runs in 3 2/3 innings of work. Junior Guerra may be the top candidate for a recall the next time the Brewers need a fifth starter, as the team continues to explore its options at the back end of the rotation.
Webb made his MLB debut last season, pitching eight innings for the Brew Crew over nine appearances and posting a 5.63 ERA. Webb has spent much of his career in the Yankees organization, minus a brief stint with the Pirates when they selected him in the 2016 Rule 5 Draft, but the left-hander was returned to New York prior to the season. The Brewers acquired Webb last summer in a trade that sent first baseman Garrett Cooper to the Yankees. Webb has worked as a reliever in all but five of his 167 career minor league games, posting a 3.64 ERA and a very strong 11.2 K/9 and 4.45 K/BB rate.
Dont know if i missed it, but who came up as result of roster spot from Knebel DL move?
Houser, I think
Not Hoover! He’s a human gas can!!!
The Brewers are going to love Grand Slam Hoover.. Get ready to watch them fly..
The Brewers are used to it
Brewers fans, tell a fantasy player here; Who’s closing in replace of Knebel? I picked up Josh Hader (luckily we don’t lose points for walks) is that the closer now?
I think Hader is going to stay in a Miller type role. He’s definitely our best bullpen piece, but he can do multiple innings. My bet is on Albers, then maybe Jeffress if we’re desparate.
My guess is Albers because he pitched in the 9th last night. Then Barnes, then Jeffress. Hader is staying put where he is now.
Albers is the closer since it’s only 4-6 weeks I would guess. This Hoover move leaves us with an option to move hader into the starting rotation
I was on the Hader to the rotation bandwagon for awhile but I seriously doubt it will happen. He’s much too valuable in the 5-7 innings.
Maybe Houser will get the start
I think Jacob Barnes will get the first crack at. He was given a chance last year but his command was all over the place.
Jeffress has succeeded in that role before though, and I could see him getting first crack at it.
I wonder whether the Pirates still have any interest in Webb as there is a dearth of lefthanded relievers available and they seemed high on him in the 2017 spring training when he was drafted from the Yankees.
I can’t believe it has not happened by now.