Brewers designate struggling reliever Bush for assignment day after blown save against Pirates

Updated Jul. 1, 2023 2:49 p.m. ET

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers designated veteran reliever Matt Bush for assignment on Saturday, less than 24 hours after he blew a save against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Bush entered Friday night's game trying to preserve a two-run lead only to give up a game-winning three-run homer to Pittsburgh's Carlos Santana in what became an 8-7 loss.

Bush, acquired in a trade with Texas last August, struggled during his brief time in Milwaukee. The 37-year-old went 0-4 with a 5.94 ERA and three saves in 37 appearances for the Brewers, including an 0-2 mark with a 9.58 ERA in 12 games this season.

Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell noted a decrease in Bush's velocity this season as one of the reasons for his ineffectiveness.

The Brewers also designated left-handed reliever Thomas Pannone for assignment. Pannone pitched 2 2/3 innings on Friday, his first game in the majors since 2019. Milwaukee made the move to bring up a pair of arms to help out the bullpen.

The Brewers called up left-handed reliever Clayton Andrews and right-handed reliever J.B. Bukauskas from Triple-A Nashville to fill the roster spots created by the departure of Bush and Pannone.

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