MILWAUKEE — After their comeback bid fell short Monday night in an 8-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Milwaukee Brewers turned their attention to a potentially more significant loss: their first baseman. Rhys Hoskins’ status is uncertain after suffering an apparent hamstring injury trying to go for second on his first-inning single.
“I was thinking (double) out of the box, just because of where the ball was placed. I just got into my turn and felt a grab in the hamstring,” Hoskins said. “I’ve kind of learned over the years to not push soft-tissue stuff like that.”
Pinch-runner Blake Perkins replaced Hoskins, who will undergo an MRI exam on Tuesday morning. “We’ll just kind of have to see where we’re at (Tuesday),” Hoskins said.
Rhys Hoskins was removed from tonight’s game in the second inning after pulling up to first base pic.twitter.com/Cc2K1cnhga
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 14, 2024
Rhys Hoskins’ Hamstring Injury Doubles Pain of Brewers Loss
Rhys Hoskins missed all of last season due to a torn ACL in his left knee so if there’s a bright side, it’s that this hamstring injury is unrelated to that one. Still, as manager Pat Murphy pointed out, “usually, hamstrings are not better in a few days,” and luck hasn’t been on the Brewers’ side when it comes to injuries this season. “That’s a big blow,” Murphy said. “He’s one of our leaders.”
Hoskins, who signed a two-year, $34 million contract with Milwaukee in January, was really paying off for the Brewers to start this season. He came into the game Monday batting .233 with nine homers, 27 RBI, and an .814 OPS. He had hit three homers in his last five games, including a three-run, seventh-inning blast Friday night that gave Milwaukee a 5-3 comeback victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
“He’s given us a ton,” right-hander Colin Rea said. “He’s just a professional. He comes in every day ready to play and gives us good at-bats and great effort every single day. It would be a huge blow so hopefully he’s alright.”
Bauers Stays Hot
Hoskins’ injury could mean more consistent playing time for Jake Bauers, who got the Brewers within a run of the Pirates with an eighth-inning grand slam off Pittsburgh left-hander Josh Fleming.
His first career grand slam helped put a positive spin on what had been a bit of a frustrating night for Bauers, who had smoked balls in all three of his previous at-bats — including a pair at 106 MPH — but only had a single to show for it until that point.
“He was really good tonight,” Murphy said. “I’m really happy for him.”
Bauers has been one of Milwaukee’s best offensive threats of late. He came into Monday’s game slashing .344/.462/.625 with a double, triple, home run, nine RBI, and a 1.087 OPS over his last 12 games after batting just .177 over his first 16 games.
Part of the turnaround can be attributed to getting more consistent playing time. However, Bauers also made some modifications to his swing, most notably by ditching a leg kick in favor of a toe-tap that Bauers said leads to “less movement, less sway back when I’m loading.”
“So I’m just instantly in a better spot,” he said.
Milwaukee acquired Bauers, 28, last November in a trade with the New York Yankees. They made the deal intending at the time to make him the everyday first baseman after non-tendering Rowdy Tellez. The plan changed slightly when the Brewers signed Hoskins, but Bauers’ ability to play the outfield adequately has helped the Brewers immensely, especially during Christian Yelich’s month-long stint on the injured list with back soreness.
“His versatility, being able to play the outfield for us while (Yelich) was out allowed us to learn some things and gain some confidence (in him) and I think he felt that,” Murphy said.
Roster Moves
The Brewers made a pair of roster moves before the game, reinstating right-hander Joel Payamps from the bereavement list and optioning right-hander Janson Junk to Triple-A Nashville.
In an unrelated move, the Baltimore Orioles claimed current Brewers minor leaguer Corbin Martin off waivers.
The Brewers claimed Martin, 28, off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks in April. He went 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in nine appearances for Triple-A Nashville this season. Milwaukee recalled him on May 3 but optioned him back to Nashville a day later before he could appear in a game. The Brewers then designated him for assignment last Friday after acquiring Mitch White from the Giants.
Up Next
Right-handers Joe Ross (1-4, 4.75 ERA) and Quinn Priester (0-3, 3.86 ERA) face off when the Brewers try to even the series Tuesday night at American Family Field. It will be Ross’ second start against Pittsburgh this season. He allowed two runs (one earned) while striking out four over 5 1/3 innings in a 4-2 loss at PNC Park last month.
Photo Credit: © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
