Milwaukee Brewers call up Mauricio Dubon, option Burch Smith

After Orlando Arcia needed to be carted off the field during last night’s tilt between the Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates, it was reported that Mauricio Dubon would be called up to the big leagues. That seemed to indicate a coming injured list stint for Arcia, but according to the team’s beat reporters, the incumbent shortstop has avoided serious injury. Dubon has still been officially called up to the team, but it might wind up being a short-term stint with Arcia set to return to action after this week’s All-Star break.

Arcia is unlikely to be available today, so we could see Dubon get the start at shortstop. He has been the regular starter at the six for the San Antonio Missions (in addition to some time at second and third base) and has hit .307/.343/.491 with 14 homers and nine steals for an even 100 wRC+ over 362 plate appearances. The 24 year old as has recovered nicely from last season’s torn ACL and is currently rated as Milwaukee’s #5 prospect by MLB Pipeline. By optioning Burch Smith — who worked 2 innings last night — the Brewers will go with 12 active pitchers for today’s final game before the Midsummer Classic.

But given Craig Counsell’s liberal bullpen usage, the roster doesn’t figure to stay that way for long. With Arcia believed to be only a short time away from returning to action, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see Dubon get optioned out after the game and Milwaukee carry only 24 ‘active’ players during the four-day break in regular season action. The team could also decide to send down Tyler Saladino, who has recorded only two hits and a walk in 26 plate appearances since getting called up to enter into a “timeshare” with Arcia at short. That would give Dubon a shot for some run as the team’s superutility player and a chance to push Arcia as the regular shortstop.

Statistics courtesy of Fangraphs