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With Lorenzo Cain opting out of the rest of the 2020 season and Ryan Braun landing on the Injured List with what sounds like a nasty finger infection, the Brewers had a couple roster moves to make before beginning their series against the Chicago White Sox tonight.
It turns out the Brewers will be swapping a Ryan for a Ryon, with Ryon Healy getting called up to presumably handle some of the 1B/DH at-bats Braun would have had. Healy can also handle some third base, although he’d likely be a large defensive downgrade from just about anyone else the Brewers could play there instead.
The mild surprise, though, is that an outfielder is not getting the call to replace Cain on the roster — at least not yet. Instead, utilityman Mark Mathias will join the team tonight.
The third transaction announced by the team is Brett Anderson coming off the Injured List for his blister to start tonight’s series opener. Jacob Nottingham is headed back down (or back to the team’s unannounced taxi squad) in the corresponding move.
LHP Brett Anderson, who will start tonight, reinstated from the 10-day injured list. INF Ryon Healy and INF Mark Mathias recalled from the Alternate Training Site. C Jacob Nottingham optioned to the Alternate Training Site. pic.twitter.com/5NGTw7ygo9
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) August 3, 2020
Mathias is a bit of a surprising add at this point, but management has appeared to have a soft spot for him for awhile now, with him getting plenty of playing time in Spring Training and Summer Camp. He’ll give the Brewers another option at virtually every infield spot, possibly opening the door for Keston Hiura to also take more DH at-bats in Braun’s absence.