Boone Logan, Stephen Vogt nearing returns for Brewers

The Brewers may be losing a big part of their offense with Eric Thames going on the disabled list for as long as two months, but a pair of other pieces are nearing their returns (or, more appropriately, their season debuts).

Tom Haudricourt reports that both Stephen Vogt and Boone Logan are on the mend, and getting closer to big league action.

Neither Logan nor Vogt have seen the field yet this season, with Vogt trying to shake a shoulder strain and regain throwing strength and Logan straining his left triceps. Both were hurt during Spring Training.

Logan seems closer to returning than Vogt, considering he pitched a simulated game earlier this week and is on his way to pitch in a few minor league games. Vogt will still likely need a healthy amount of at-bats and show any pain or soreness is able to stay away before he heads to Wisconsin, Biloxi or elsewhere.

The Brewers’ bullpen has been a strength for the team even in Logan’s absence, and seems to be well-covered when it comes to left-handers with Josh Hader and Dan Jennings shining in the season’s first month. Logan’s return could allow the team to expand Jennings’ role, though, while using Logan as more of a situational lefty.

Losing Thames means the Brewers would probably like to get Vogt’s lefty bat back into the lineup, and that’s before you consider the lack of production the team has been getting from the catching position to this point in the year. Manny Pina missed about half of the past month due to injury and is hitting just .194/.293/.306 to start the year, while Jett Bandy wasn’t able to make the most of his expanded playing time in Pina’s absence, hitting .195/.283/.317.

Logan should be back by early May, while Vogt could still be a few weeks away from joining the team.

Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference