The Brewers announced this morning that they’ve designated left-hander Tyler Alexander for assignment. The move makes room for southpaw Jose Quintana to be activated from the injured list.
Alexander, 31 next month, has pitched to an ugly 6.19 ERA in 36 1/3 innings of work to this point in the season. That’s 35% worse than league average by ERA+, but it must be noted that Alexander’s peripherals tell a different story. An elevated .331 BABIP and comically low 47.2% strand rate indicate poor fortune for the lefty when it comes to batted balls and sequencing, and that’s reflected in his 3.58 FIP and 4.27 SIERA.
Both of those are fairly solid figures, and it’s not hard to imagine Alexander bouncing back if offered the opportunity to do so by another club. Alexander’s career 4.67 ERA hardly jumps off the page, but his ability to handle multiple roles and eat innings should make him an attractive arm for teams in need of pitching help. The Brewers will have one week to either trade the lefty or place him on outright waivers. If he clears waivers, Alexander could be outrighted to the minor leagues but has the requisite service time to reject an assignment in favor of free agency.
Alexander’s departure makes room for the return of Quintana to the active roster. The lefty made six starts with an impressive 2.65 ERA despite a lackluster 4.56 FIP for Milwaukee earlier this year but went on the shelf with a shoulder impingement in early May. Quintana is set to rejoin the club’s rotation today, taking the ball against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, and will round out a staff that had previously been relying on just four pitchers: Rookie Quinn Priester and Chad Patrick as well as veterans Freddy Peralta and Aaron Civale. Tobias Myers, Elvin Rodriguez, and Logan Henderson have been called upon to fill in as necessary throughout the season but are all currently in the minor leagues.
Quintana’s return to action comes at a time when the Brewers are attempting to turn what had been a tough start to the season around. They’ve won their last six games in a row, putting them back up above .500 with a 31-28 record, and now sit just 2.5 games back in the Wild Card race. First baseman Rhys Hoskins has helped to carry a lineup that’s finally beginning to heat up, and Brandon Woodruff is expected to make his long-awaited return to the rotation in the not-too-distant future as well.
The weak link in the Brewers pen, even before yesterday’s 9th inning “junk time” performance against the Phillies.
hallelujah it’s about time
Bad luck or not, his performance yesterday surely made the Brewers’ decision on how to make room for Quintana a whole lot easier. It sure seemed like they were leaning toward sending down Patrick, at least temporarily. Fans would’ve hated it, but he would’ve been back up shortly. This hurts depth, but it consolidates talent where it belongs. I don’t think they’ll miss Alexander.
Alexander has the record for most consecutive strikeouts by a left-handed reliever.
Scott Harris on line # 1 for a Tigers reunion, as they need a 5th starter for the short term.
He left Detroit on good terms and they might have some interest in having him in Toledo but not on the 40 man roster.
The Brewers still need to trade Civale, Quintana, Lastly, and Mears for a shortstop Go with a rotation of Peralta, Woodruff, Miz, Henderson and Patrick. Then a bullpen of Megill, Uribe, Anderson, Hall, Yoho, Ashby, Preister, Koenig. Then watch us overtake the Cubs and watch the Cubs fail again.
lol.
They do need to bring up Logan and Miz, that’s for sure.
Miz last start makes me think waiting and gaining the extra year might not be the worst idea.
They targeted Ortiz for a reason, and he showed what he can be last year putting up 3.1 fWAR at a less valuable position while dealing with an injury.
He has shown that hes a plus defender at short this yeae, and has been hitting much better lately despite some bad babip luck.
Zips still projects Joey for a 91 wrc+, which, combined with his defense would make him an above average shortstop. The Brewers shouldn’t, and won’t move off him due to a few bad months in his 2nd season
Stubby – Serious question. Who is Lastly? Do you mean Zastryzny? What advantage would they gain trading away all that depth right now. Give it another month. They’re not being pressed into doing anything right now.
Look, I know you can’t wait to see every minor league player get their shot, but now may not be the time.
Couldn’t agree more flagg. Stubby might secretly be Yohos family or agent. Mentions him in just about every post. If Quintana is healthy, you don’t trade him if they’re within striking distance. Need a veteran (a lefty at that) in the rotation who has playoff experience.
The only issue or concern with that scenario is that Miz, Patrick, Henderson, Yoho, Priester only have about 60 innings each left to give this year, then they will be at their all time high for innings. I think their depth at starting pitching will help bring those rookies on slowly. So I wouldn’t trade anyone until the the deadline and only if it is on the Brewers favor. Don’t over pay for an infielder you will have for a couple of months and might not be enough power any way. Injuries like Yelich’s might make it necessary but I hope not
The Tigers could use some painting.
Came back against the Phillies today, Crews won seven in a row and is 8-2 in their last ten…. Unfortunately for them so are the cubs ha, whether it’s the division or a WC, as long as the crew get in its mission accomplished and they’ve been doing a great job of accomplishing that, still a year+ (probably 2-3) from really being built to win those seven game playoff series against the high payroll teams, but if Woody comes back strong they could be fairly dangerous come playoff time this year….
“Comically low” is a little harsh.
Mets should pick him up for minor league depth.