Notes: Stephen Vogt excited to rejoin Brewers' catching corps in heat of playoff race

SAN FRANCISCO – After completing his rehabilitation assignment with Class AAA Colorado Springs last week, Brewers catcher Stephen Vogt admitted to having trouble sleeping.

“I texted (head athletic trainer) Dan Wright after my last rehab game and said, ‘Everything went great. It’s Christmas Eve,’ ” Vogt said. “That’s really how I felt. I felt like a kid. I knew I wouldn’t sleep much that night, waiting to rejoin the team. I was very excited.”

Vogt had been out a month with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, the result of an awkward collision at the plate in Pittsburgh. After being claimed off waivers from Oakland in late June, the last thing he wanted was to get injured so soon and miss time.

Vogt, 32, didn’t start Friday night in Colorado but he did come off the bench, catching an inning and doubling in his only at-bat. The next day, he was in the lineup and helped guide rookie Brandon Woodruff through an eventful outing that resulted in a big 6-3 victory.

“It was good to get in that game Friday and get that out of the way,” Vogt said. “Then, on Saturday, I felt great. I had a little extra adrenaline.”

Beyond returning to action for the first time in a month, Vogt is making an adjustment behind the plate while wearing a protective brace on his knee similar to the style that offensive linemen use in football.

“It definitely prohibits me from getting in my normal position,” said Vogt, who started behind the plate Monday night in the series opener against San Francisco. “But I’ve been able to find some good (positions), and Woodruff and the others said they didn’t notice any difference. I didn’t want to feel like I was hindering the team at all.

“I wouldn’t say it’s tough. It’s just different. You’re playing a position where you need to squat while wearing a knee brace. It’s definitely not ideal but it’s allowing me to play right now, which is important. We’ll see if I get to the point where I’m confident to catch without it.”

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Vogt hated being out of action for a month, particularly after playing so well after joining the Brewers. He hit some big home runs to help win games and fed off the energy of the Brewers’ young, enthusiastic clubhouse as well as the playoff race.

“It rejuvenated me personally,” he said. “There’s nothing better than playing meaningful baseball. This is a great opportunity for me. We’re right in the thick of it. We’re right where we want to be.”

In Vogt’s absence, two other catchers were injured. Jett Bandy cracked a rib when hit by a pitch, and his replacement, Andrew Susac, was sidelined with a trapezius issue. But Vogt is back and ready to share time with Manny Piña, who carried more of the load in his absence.

“When we first acquired Stephen, we probably played our best baseball of the season over a 2½ week stretch,” manager Craig Counsell said. “Stephen was a big part of that. He hit some big home runs and really did a nice job. We did miss him.

“Just his presence on the team is important. His left-handed bat really balances our lineup. Manny has done a good job but I think having both of them keeps them productive.”

Vogt returned just in time to check off the final item on a career bucket list. Coors Field had been the only ballpark in which he had not played as a major leaguer.

"I had five left and now I've played in all of them," said Vogt, who had not played in Wrigley Field, PNC Park, Citizens Bank Park and Nationals Park until this year. 

Together again: Before the game, Brewers reliever Jeremy Jeffress was able to spend considerable time with Giants reliever Will Smith, who is out this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Jeffress and Smith were best friends while teammates in Milwaukee before both were traded on Aug. 1 of last season – Jeffress to the Texas Rangers and Smith to San Francisco.

“We talk a lot on the phone but we hadn’t seen each other for a while,” said Jeffress, who was reacquired by the Brewers in a trade on July 31. “It was great to see him. He’s doing well; looking good. I think he’ll be throwing again soon.

“It’s always fun to talk to Will. We played together and we know each other’s families. We were as close as it gets for teammates. That’s the way it will always be. We’ll always be close.”