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Luis Urias was one of the Brewers’ most exciting additions in the offseason, but we’ll have to wait a little longer to see him in action.
The young infielder has had some terrible luck to start his Brewers career, first breaking a bone in his wrist and hand during Spring Training Proper back in March, then catching an asymptomatic case of COVID-19 that’s kept him away from the team during Summer Camp at Miller Park this month.
That time away is now going to cost him a spot on the Brewers’ Opening Day roster, according to Robert Murray.
Luis Urias will begin the season at the Brewers’ secondary facility in Appleton, source said. After missing much of camp with COVID-19, the club will ease him back before returning to the majors.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 21, 2020
Urias has said he feels healthy and is eager to get back to playing, but has not been able to pass the part of COVID-19 protocol that requires two consecutive negative tests in a 24-hour period.
Urias figured to be a big part of the Brewers’ plans in the infield this year, whether it was replacing Orlando Arcia as the team’s primary shortstop, or spelling Keston Hiura at second base while Hiura serves as the DH.
Those plans will now be on hold for now, as the Brewers want to make sure he gets up to speed before entering the lineup. As Lorenzo Cain noted earlier this month, hitters are finding it hard to go from a summer of hitting off tees and pitching machines to facing live 95 mph fastballs with movement.
In the meantime, the Brewers should have plenty of other infield options to mix and match until Urias is ready to go.