The Brewers announced that they have reinstated catcher Pedro Severino from the restricted list. To create space on the active roster. Outfielder Tyrone Taylor has been placed on the seven-day concussion IL, retroactive to July 2. The club already had a vacancy on the 40-man roster, meaning no corresponding move was required in that regard.
Severino spent the past three years with the Orioles but was non-tendered at the end of last season. The Brewers signed him in November to a one-year, $1.9MM deal, hoping that the right-handed-hitting Severino could form a platoon with the left-handed-hitting Omar Narvaez. However, in early April, Severino was given an 80-game suspension after failing a PED test. Severino didn’t challenge the results, admitting that the presence of Clomiphene in his system was due to fertility treatments he was undergoing in the Dominican Republic.
Knowing that they would be without Severino for an extended stretch, the club bolstered the catching position by trading for Victor Caratini and Alex Jackson. Jackson has been on the shelf for about a month with a sprained finger, but the Brewers still have a three-catcher situation now, with Severino, Caratini and Narvaez. Caratini has stepped up admirably and is hitting .248/.375/.448 this year for a wRC+ of 132. That might make it hard for Severino to force his way back into the mix.
“We’re going to have to be creative a little bit,” manager Craig Counsell told Adam McCalvy of MLB.com about the logjam. “Look, the two guys we’ve got are playing really well. That’s going to factor into it as well.” Severino played a few games at first base during his rehab, but it doesn’t seem like Plan A will involve a lot of time there for him. “I don’t think initially he will be a big option,” Counsell said. “We’ll continue to have him do some work there, and if we get to a situation where we need it, he’ll be a guy with some experience there.”
Due to his suspension, Severino is ineligible to play in the postseason. However, if he plays well for the remainder of the season, he can be retained for next year via arbitration.
Caratini can play first and third too. So hopefully they can use there versatility
As long as Hiura isn’t playing 2nd and Urias isn’t playing the field at all, using Caratini at first might be ok.
After the dribbler Hiura threw on Friday night I don’t want to count on Caratini to handle anything but a perfect throw.
Caratini is probably better than Pedro at first. I was a Caratini fan when he was in Chicago and Joe maddon said he is good defensively at first
Admittedly, all I really have to go on for Caratini at first was the other night. Really, that 1 play was all that stood out (I didn’t see the whole game and only realized he was playing first until I think the 8th inning..) and it just looked like he wasn’t prepared for a bad throw. Of course a lack of recent time there could certainly explain that. That said, going forward do they put him there more during infield drills and simultaneously spending less time with the pitching staff (while then having Sevorino spend time with the staff/catching) or continue with the Narvy/Caratini duo at catcher and sprinkle Sevorino at first along with an inning or 2 of mop up behind the plate..?
For my money, I’m keeping the current tandem behind the plate as much as possible.
I’m not worried about Caratini missing time with the pitching staff he so good behind the plate
How many games in ML has he played 3rd ? Thank You!
7 games across 3 seasons (with no errors fwiw). played two games there last season with the padres
Pedro has had 3 months left to his own devices He may come back looking like current-day Kyle Farnsworth.
Not sure why the Brewers feel the need to have Severino on the roster. As an O’s fan who watched him the past few seasons, he’s terrible. I’m sure there is someone better to take that spot.
Because they made an investment to acquire him. Not sure how it will play out from here, but this is likely a tryout for him the rest of the regular season (or sooner, depending on how he performs).
One of the three may go at the trade deadline. Victor Caratini will probably have the most value if he’s healthy.
I can see playing severino if he was postseason eligible for trade possibilities but he’s not. Not sure his need at this point unless there’s a non season ending injury. Makes zero sense carrying 3 catchers
Extra insurance in case 1 gets hurt. Also, if the right pinch hit or pinch run opportunity presents itself, they’ll do it and still have 1 on the bench..in case of emergency.
Severino’s probably just insurance for the next few weeks. There won’t be 3 catchers on the active roster after the trade deadline.
They can’t get rid of Caratini if Severino is ineligible for the postseason, if that’s what you’re thinking. Which also makes it foolish for anyone to want Severino, unless they just need a backup until they hit the postseason.
severino is controllable for one more season via arbitration, so he doesnt necessarily need to be flipped to a contender… but it does limit his suitors for sure
If he has options left I can see holding onto him. Otherwise it makes no sense. The Cara/Narv tandem is doing well right now. No sense messing that up for a guy who can’t play in October.
With the large number of banned substances for MLB, I don’t know if I should feel bad for Severino (if he truly needed fertility treatments) or if this is more of a Ryan Braun type of situation where he was trying to be sneaky. It has to be tough to monitor everything you put into your body especially when most players take some sort of supplements to help their bodies heal and stay healthy. With that said, you have to know to ask the league office before you start taking any medications or treatments these days.
Should just rid of him. He can’t be used in playoffs and all he is doing is blocking prospects that deserve a chance. Your making almost million bucks you damn well better know what your putting in your body period.
To DM:Always a good point made by you!
MLB Golden Tate. Tate, however, tested positive in the off-season – Severino’s positive test was in the run up to the season.
I had heard a lot of rumors of A DFA? Is he that good of hitter to stay? I heard he is marginal as a defensive play! I do not think he is expensive either! We need an outfielder who can play CF and hit. A trade for him possible?
I don’t pretend to understand the chemistry related to fertility treatment, but a suspension for a valid medical regimen, if indeed it was thus, sounds like a case of misplaced priorities by MLB—baseball over life. There must be more to this story.
MLB will shorten the suspension if you can prove to them it was unintentional. Pineda got that I believe, as did Mondesi. Not that a lack of shortening is proof to the opposite effect, but they do account for that to a degree.
agreed with darkside… chances are, swerverino knew what he was doing and it was a cover up. for any baseball player to knowingly put something in their body for WHATEVER reason in this day and age without consulting with MLB\their agent is 9 times outta 10 up to no good