Brewers' Topa undergoes MRI, will start year on injured list

Updated Mar. 28, 2021 4:03 p.m. ET

Associated Press

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Justin Topa will open the season on the injured list after undergoing an MRI on his right elbow.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell made that announcement Sunday. Counsell also said the Brewers have re-signed reliever Brad Boxberger to a minor league contract and first baseman Daniel Vogelbach has made the team

Counsell said Topa threw just three pitches in a simulated game Saturday before leaving with elbow discomfort. The Brewers are awaiting results on an MRI that Topa underwent Saturday night.

“It’s an injured list to start the season, for sure,” Counsell said from the Brewers’ spring-training site in Phoenix.

Topa, a 30-year-old right-hander, made his major league debut last season and

His injury reduces the depth of a bullpen that figures to be one of Milwaukee’s strengths, thanks in part to two-time All-Star

“Obviously Justin had a possibility of pitching some big innings for us, so it’s a loss,” Counsell said. “Guys fill in around losses always, but these are losses that start to chip away at your depth, for sure. Justin pitched some big innings for us at the end of the year last year and I think he was capable of doing that (again). Hopefully we get decent news and he can get back to that.”

One option to solve any depth issues is Boxberger, who rejoined the organization

Reserve outfielder Derek Fisher also is expected to start the season on the injured list. Fisher has been dealing with a hamstring issue this spring.

The Brewers removed the suspense from one of their top remaining roster issues Sunday by announcing Vogelbach had made the team. Vogelbach’s status had been uncertain because the

Vogelbach primarily has been a DH throughout his career. Vogelbach bounced back from a prolonged slump by

Counsell said the Brewers will use Vogelbach mainly as a pinch-hitter.

“It’s going to be trying to get him a big at-bat every night,” Counsell said. “We think he’s well-suited for it. We think he can be impactful doing it, putting him in a big spot during a game and having a big at-bat. We think we’re covered enough at other positions to be able to do that.”

Counsell also said he’s optimistic that outfielders Jackie Bradley Jr. and Lorenzo Cain would be available for the start of the season.

Bradley had been dealing with a sore wrist after having a cyst removed during the offseason.

against the Kansas City Royals. Cain homered in the game.

“I think they’ll be ready,” Counsell said. “I think in Lorenzo’s case, we’re going to have to be careful early in the season just because of a leg injury, not playing last year, the weather we may face. We will be careful with Lorenzo specifically, I think, early in the season.”

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