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Even though the Milwaukee Brewers will likely start the season with 13 pitchers (and Jeremy Jeffress won’t be one of them), it looks like Adrian Houser is coming up short in his bid to make the Opening Day bullpen.
He, along with Jacob Nottingham, were optioned down to minor league camp by the Brewers today. Three other players on minor league contracts that were in big league camp — Jake Hager, Miguel Sanchez, and Burch Smith — were also sent to the minor league side of the complex.
C Jacob Nottingham and RHP Adrian Houser have been optioned to minor-league camp. INF Jake Hager, RHP Miguel Sánchez and RHP Burch Smith have been reassigned to minor-league camp.
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 17, 2019
If last year is any indication, Houser could find himself on the Triple-A Shuttle again this year whenever the Brewers need a fresh arm in the bullpen. But according to Adam McCalvy, the Brewers aren’t giving up on the idea of him as a starter, either. He — and Burch Smith — will apparently work as starters in San Antonio.
Houser will stretch out to start at San Antonio. Burch Smith, too. https://t.co/1IVONqADIv
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 17, 2019
Nottingham was always unlikely to make the big league team out of spring training, especially once the Brewers signed Yasmani Grandal, but he should get a full year in Triple-A as the starting catcher, barring injuries. He’ll likely be a candidate to take the big league job next year once Grandal finds the multi-year deal that eluded him this past winter.