The Brewers have designated right-handed reliever Mike Morin for assignment, tweets Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The move clears space for the activation of left-hander Eric Lauer from the COVID-19 injured list. Lauer will be available out of the Milwaukee bullpen immediately, McCalvy adds.
Morin, 29, logged his most extensive big league action since 2016 with the Twins and Phillies last season. As he’s done throughout his career, he limited walks and home runs but didn’t manage many swings and misses, recording just a 12.4% strikeout rate between the two clubs. Morin didn’t see action in either of Milwaukee’s two games this season. They’ll have a week to trade him, release him or place him on outright waivers.
Lauer was acquired from the Padres over the offseason. He’ll apparently begin the season in the bullpen, but he’ll presumably be built up into a multi-inning capacity for manager Craig Counsell. The 25-year-old started 52 of his 53 appearances in San Diego, working to a 4.40 ERA/4.35 FIP in 261.2 innings over the past two seasons.
Well. That was quick
Every time Morin pops up in an article, I’m compelled to go revisit his bizarre 2015 season. 6.37 era with a 2.87 fip in 35 innings. 41-9 k/bb rate, 0.8 hr/9. Just doesn’t make sense. One of the more unlucky seasons of pitching I’ve ever seen.
Those first two years of Morin’s career were definitley really strange. Especially 2015. He had a 33.5% soft contact rate and outstanding perfirias with solid ERA estimators. Wonder what happened?