Brewers designate RH reliever Jeffress for assignment
CHICAGO (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers have cut another key performer from last year, designating reliever Jeremy Jeffress for assignment on Sunday.
Jeffress went 8-1 with a 1.29 ERA and 15 saves in 2018, helping Milwaukee win the NL Central and make it all the way to the NL Championship Series. The right-hander also made the All-Star team for the first time.
But Jeffress hasn't been able to find the same form this year. He was hampered by right shoulder weakness during spring training, and then went back on the injured list last Sunday with a strained left hip.
Jeffress, who turns 32 on Sept. 21, is 3-4 with a 5.02 ERA and one save in 48 games this season.
"Unfortunately we just got to a position where at a time in the season where we didn't see him making an impact," manager Craig Counsell said before Sunday's 4-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs. "It's a little bit of a future decision as well with 40-man roster issues."
Milwaukee is three games behind Chicago for the second NL wild card. It is trying to make two consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since 1981 and 1982.
Jhoulys Chacín, who had a career-high 15 wins last season and served as Milwaukee's opening-day starter this year, was designated for assignment last weekend. He signed a minor league deal with Boston on Saturday.
"At this point where we are with Jeremy, progression from his hip strength, with his performance and where we are from a 40-man roster perspective, this a move we felt was the right move to make now," president of baseball operations David Stearns said. "Certainly a tough one, but one we felt was the right thing to do from the club."
The Brewers also designated outfielder Troy Stokes Jr. and right-hander Aaron Wilkerson for assignment to create space on their 40-man roster.
Right-hander Jimmy Nelson and left-hander Brent Suter were reinstated from the 60-day injured list. First baseman/outfielder Tyler Austin had his contract selected from Triple-A San Antonio.
The Brewers also recalled right-handers Jake Faria and Freddy Peralta and catcher David Freitas from San Antonio before the victory over the Cubs. Freitas was leading the Pacific Coast League with a .381 batting average at the time of his promotion.
