Small will likely be part of the pitching plan for Tuesday’s game against the Twins
On Monday, the Brewers recalled left-hander Ethan Small from AAA Nashville and designated reliever Connor Sadzeck for assignment.
LHP Ethan Small recalled from Triple-A Nashville.
RHP Connor Sadzeck designated for assignment. pic.twitter.com/wQXeGLbKfI
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 25, 2022
The Brewers recently designated Chi Chi Gonzalez for assignment and optioned Jason Alexander to AAA, leaving them in need of a new fifth starter. The club has yet to list a probable starter for Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins.
Small was scheduled to start for Nashville on Sunday but was scratched. It now appears that he will serve as a bulk arm tomorrow barring unforeseen circumstances tonight.
Ethan Small will be in the Brewers bullpen tonight. If he’s not needed in another crazy long game, looks like he’ll start tomorrow.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) July 25, 2022
Milwaukee’s No. 8 prospect has posted a 3.34 ERA and 4.10 FIP in 15 starts in AAA this season.
His greatest flaw is inconsistent control. It plagued him in his big-league debut earlier this year when he walked four in just 2 2⁄3 innings against the Chicago Cubs.
Since returning to AAA, Small has pitched to a 4.98 ERA and 5.17 FIP in 34 1⁄3 innings, issuing 19 walks against 32 strikeouts.
Sadzeck returned to the big leagues for the first time since 2019 last week. He made it into two low-leverage games, allowing three runs in three innings.
The 30-year-old was out of options, meaning the Brewers had to designate him for assignment to remove him from the 26-man roster. This move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster as well.