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The Milwaukee Brewers are getting healthy here at the beginning of May, and reinforcements for the 17-13 ballclub will soon be on their way. Wade Miley will join the team tomorrow after completing his rehab assignment, and Boone Logan is currently in the midst of a rehab assignment of his own right now with AA Biloxi. Catcher Stephen Vogt will connect with Logan and the Shuckers tomorrow to take the next step in his comeback from a balky shoulder:
Also, catcher Stephen Vogt will officially begin his minor-league rehab stint at Class AA Biloxi on Wednesday. He'll be full go at that point, and will be catching games.
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) April 30, 2018
Vogt looked like a good bet to make the Opening Day roster as Manny Pina’s backup this spring after spending the winter working to improve and strengthen his throwing, but wound up beginning the season on the DL after his shoulder began acting up near the end of camp. Pina has missed some time himself and has struggled with the bat in the early going, and his counterpart Jett Bandy has been even worse at the plate. Milwaukee’s catching group currently owns the fourth-lowest wRC+ among the 30 MLB teams at 52. Vogt was a bit of a defensive liability last season behind the plate, but the .789 OPS and eight dingers he produced with his left-handed bat in 45 games with the Crew in 2017 would be a welcome addition to this year’s lineup. Barring an injury, Vogt’s return could spell the end of Bandy’s tenure with the organization. The 28 year old is out of minor league options and will likely get exposed to waivers once Vogt is officially ready to join the big league team.
Corey Knebel threw a 25-pitch live BP session today in Cincinnati. A schedule will be laid out tomorrow that will include the next steps. Manager Craig Counsell said if all goes well, a return to the Brewers on their next road trip is potentially in the cards.
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) April 30, 2018
Also on the comeback trail is Corey Knebel, who injured his hamstring a little over four weeks ago while pitching against the Cubs. He’s already started throwing again, recording a bullpen session earlier this week before yesterday’s live batting practice that Rosiak mentions. Knebel will likely need to go out on a rehab assignment before returning to the big leagues, but assuming no setbacks he should be ready for active duty before long. Counsell mentioned Milwaukee’s next road trip as a target, and that begins May 10th in Colorado. Knebel had allowed three runs in his first 2.2 innings this season, but was an All-Star closer for the team last year, recording 39 saves while posting a 1.78 ERA in 76.0 innings with 126 strikeouts. The bullpen hasn’t missed a beat in his absence, as the group owns the league’s 3rd-best ERA at 2.43 and rank #1 in baseball with 2.6 fWAR.
Statistics courtesy of Fangraphs