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The Milwaukee Brewers will keep Stephen Vogt on their roster past the end of spring training, as Tom Haudricourt reports:
Counsell says Stephen Vogt will open on DL so #Brewers are keeping him.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 18, 2018
Vogt will thus get his full $3.065 mil salary for 2018. The Brewers will open the season with Manny Pina as their primary catcher, with Jett Bandy the likely back-up. Christian Bethancourt will most likely be the third option and open the season at AAA Colorado Springs.
In a separate move, Milwaukee released right handed relief pitcher Ernesto Frieri, once again as per Haudricourt:
#Brewers have released veteran reliever Ernesto Frieri, who struggled with his command in camp and never got on track. Said he will look for opportunity elsewhere. Good guy.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 18, 2018
Frieri got his chances this spring, making eight relief appearances and going 5.2 innings. His WHIP in that time was a lofty 3.18 and he posted an ERA of 7.94 ERA. Other relievers had worse numbers (I’m looking at YOU, Jacob Barnes), but Frieri had to make a good impression since he was on a minor league deal.
Ernesto’s last two appearances this week were discouraging. He took the decision in the only game the Brewers lost all week, against Cincinnati. He entered in the bottom of the ninth after a four-run rally by the Crew tied the game in the top of the inning. The Reds loaded the bases with nobody out and scored on a sac fly to end the game. He got his second chance in the ninth yesterday against the Rockies with Milwaukee up 4-2. He again loaded the bases with nobody out before getting a strikeout. He was relieved, and while Colorado scored once Milwaukee held on for a 4-3 win.
With just ten days left before the Brewers open in San Diego the Brewers will have moves on an almost daily basis for the near future. Stay tuned!