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If you’ve been wondering where Brewers’ catcher Stephen Vogt has been lately, Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel tells us why Vogt has been out:
CC said hard to say now how much camp will be left when Vogt can play again. Tough break for him.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) February 28, 2018
Adam McCalvy added:
Brewers catcher Stephen Vogt is out 2-3 weeks with a strained throwing shoulder. Tough setback after he worked all winter to improve his throwing.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) February 28, 2018
This makes it more than possible that Vogt will open the season on the disabled list, as he will need time to rehab and get into playing shape. It delays the decision the Brewers will have to make on whether to keep Vogt or Jett Bandy, as both are out of options and can’t be sent to the minors unless they pass through waivers and accept the assignment.
Vogt is on the books for close to $3.1 m on a one year arbitration deal, but if he is let go prior to the start of the season the Brewers will owe him a portion of that in the form of termination pay. His slash of .254/.281/.508 last season considerably outpaced Bandy (.207/.287/.349), and his left-handed bat probably gave him a leg up for the spot of back-up to Manny Pina. Vogt’s throwing woes give Bandy a defensive edge, though.
Milwaukee could go with Christian Bethancourt or Jacob Nottingham as back-ups, although those options seem remote barring further injury to Bandy or Pina. Nottingham still has a lot of development needed, and Bethancourt didn’t catch much last season as he worked as a pitcher.
Injuries are always a factor in determining the 25 man roster, not just in the spring but as the season progresses. For a more in-depth look at the catching position, take a gander at Kyle’s preview of the back-stop situation.
Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference