The most likely scenario for the Brewers on the shortstop is to return to Orlando Arcia while giving the third base for Travis Shaw, according to Ken Rosenthal of Atlético. Luis uríasmeanwhile, it could start the year in Triple-A. Urías was hampered by an injury to the tendon of his left thigh, which may be responsible for a potential drawdown earlier in the season. The Brewers were hopeful that the former top contender would show enough to claim an initial domestic job this spring, going as far as auditing Arcia at different points around the diamond. If Urías is not running at full speed, brewers can use their secondary league options as a means of maintaining Daniel Robertson and Billy McKinney, each of which they would have to expose to exemptions if they don’t start the season on the list. McKinney did not want to stay in Milwaukee, but he did his part strongly, writes Andrew Wagner of the Wisconsin State Journal. The Brewers do not have an absolute need for McKinney, although it helps that the left-handed outfielder can play on first base as well.
More from Milwaukee:
- It has been difficult spring training for Eric Lauer, note Tom Haudricourt and Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Over five starts between three matches, the southpaw went on seven rides and gave up three home runs. The Brewers chose Lauer for Triple-A Nashville on Friday, taking him out of the mix for a rotating opening point of the season. Purchased from the Fathers as part of the business that also brought Urías and sent Trent Grisham and Zach Davies, Lauer suffered during a brutal first season in Milwaukee. He allowed sixteen runs in eleven entries last year, issuing nine walks and eliminating twelve.
- Lorenzo Cain and Devin Williams made their Cactus League debut last night against the Reds, Haudricourt and Rosiak were among those who took turns. Cain, delayed by a hip injury at the beginning of the camp, had three appearances on the plate and played in the center of the field. He will rest today, but hopes to be back on the roster tomorrow. The Brewers acted cautiously with Williams, who missed the playoff series last year due to a shoulder injury. The current NL Liberator of the Year says he will have “three or four” other appearances before Opening Day, according to Haudricourt and Rosiak.