The Brewers have released reliever Matt Bush, tweets Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. That was expected once the Brew Crew designated him for assignment two days ago.
Bush joined Milwaukee at the 2022 trade deadline, heading over from the Rangers in a deal that sent utility player Mark Mathias and pitching prospect Antoine Kelly to Texas. The hard-throwing righty was sitting on a 2.95 ERA while fanning just under 30% of opposing hitters at the time of the swap. Milwaukee hoped for more of the same, but the 37-year-old struggled upon landing in American Family Field.
In 23 innings down the stretch, Bush posted a 4.30 ERA while seeing his homer rate spike. The velocity and whiffs led Milwaukee to retain him on a $1.85MM arbitration salary. Bush’s results continued going in the wrong direction, punctuated by a blown save last Friday.
Milwaukee was operating with a thin bullpen in a divisional matchup against the Pirates. The Brewers entrusted Bush with the ninth inning holding a two-run lead. The veteran allowed hits to three of five batters faced, including a Carlos Santana walk-off homer. It was the fifth longball he’d surrendered in 10 1/3 innings this season.
Asked about using Bush to close things out after the game, manager Craig Counsell told the Milwaukee beat “(he’s) on the roster and he hasn’t pitched in a while and he was fresh, and it was his job to get the outs in the ninth. He just couldn’t get them,” (relayed by Adam McCalvy of MLB.com).
A day later, the Brewers moved on. Bush is out of minor league option years, so a DFA was the only way to take him off the big league club. He crossed the five-year MLB service threshold earlier in the season, so he’d have the right to decline an outright assignment while retaining his salary. Rather than go through that process, Milwaukee released him entirely.
The Brewers remain on the hook for that sum. If another team adds Bush to their MLB roster, they’ll only owe him the prorated portion of the $720K minimum. He’s likely to attract interest based on his results in Texas and swing-and-miss upside, but his recent struggles might limit him to minor league offers.
The Reds just brought ip a guy that hasn’t smelled the big leagues since 2018. At least this guy was there in this decade. But the kid GM will nap on this one too, I bet, in favor of more dumpster diving.
We could still bring this guy in though, right? Just because we brought in Kennedy doesn’t mean you can’t pivot and bring this guy in also, right?
You’re absolutely right, that trash belongs with the reds.
SD needs bullpen help, bring him home to SD.
Mark that one down as a “never.”
San diego doesn’t need to bring back Ryan Leaf.
The jays are always looking for more velo in the bullpen. For a franchise who has had quite a few success stories bringing in seemingly washed relievers, the front office recently hasn’t been doing so for quite a while.
Bring some guys in and let Pete Walker try and get them back in form.
Part of me is intrigued by Matt Bush, but I read the story of what he did and was like good heavens
With him, you gotta specify which story
There were a few, but this story summarizes
tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/for-victim-no-se…
Thats why follow him i like good stories on people wjo turn lives around so im a fan…
I’m a fan of players that didnt drive over a dude’s head and then flee the scene, but that’s just me.
Alcohol fueled shenanigans and cocaine fueled tattoos along with several hit and runs with complete rage
Thank God…..wish him well, just never could pitch for ish in Milwaukee.
Wish him well? This article is about Matt Bush
Braves need another lefty give him a minor league contract and if you need to put him in the 40 man ok and see if he can figure it out. Because he still has the arm talent.
He’s not a lefty
He’s right-handed
I messed up lol I was thinking of Matt Moore lol my bad no Matt Moore is doing fantastic with the Angles
Bush had substance abuse issues that led to scrapes with the law after being drafted.
I wonder if the quick collapse like he had since leaving is an indication that old demons have come back to roost.
In sincerely hope not.
His substance abuse didnt lead to scrapes with the law. Dont excuse his behavior. He had substance abuse issues while being a garbage human. Being a garbage human got him in trouble.
At least nobody accosted him with a golf club threatening to smash their heads because they were Matt F***ing Bush.
Somebody slip him some fentanyl.
Never forget that this guy has ruined other people’s lives horribly.
Yikes
Found Matt Harvey’s burner
He’s human garbage and any team that signs him exposes their moral hypocrisy.
He might have some talent however what’s the cost? There is something that tells me he’s best off pitching with Bauer and the other cast offs on the other side of the planet.
Texas would welcome Bush back with open arms.
I could see the Rangers taking a flyer on him. I hope he’s sober because addiction is hard to break . most relapse 4-5 times before getting it right.
There are three outcomes available to the addict: jail, institutions, or the cemetery. Oh, wait, I guess that’s true for everyone. And 99% of non-smokers die. Smoke ’em if ya got ’em.
Future Atlantic League All-star
Bush could probably start for the Red Sox on Saturday.
Dodgers could take a gamble on him
What a punk and pathetic waste of time and money. Friars wasted a first overall on this guy.