Brewers add needed left-handed pitching depth with waiver claim of Donnie Hart
Given the opportunity to pick up a left-handed reliever with major-league experience, especially one with minor-league options, the Milwaukee Brewers were not going to pass.
With that in mind, the Brewers claimed Donnie Hart off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday and optioned him to Class AAA San Antonio. To make room for Hart on the 40-man roster, the Brewers transferred reliever Bobby Wahl from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day list.
The Missions had no left-handed pitchers on their roster prior to adding Hart.
“We’re always looking to bring in players, and arms in particular at this point, that we think can get big-league hitters out,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said Friday. “Donnie has shown he can do that. He provides a little bit of a different look from the left side.
“We don’t have a lot of left-handed pitching on our 40-man roster; we’re aware of that. If there are certain points in the schedule where we think it’s more beneficial to go a little more left-handed, we have the ability to do that now."
Hart, 28, was claimed off waivers from Baltimore in mid-March by the Dodgers, who made room for him on their 40-man roster by designating right-handed reliever Josh Fields for assignment.
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The Brewers later signed Fields to a minor-league deal and assigned him to San Antonio, with the intent of providing depth for their bullpen.
The side-arming Hart made 93 appearances for Baltimore from 2016-’18, going 2-0 with a 3.43 ERA, but scuffled in 20 outings last season, posting a 5.59 ERA and WHIP of 2.22.
“It’s an opportunity to add to our quality relief pitching depth without impacting our 40-man roster, because we could move Bobby to the 60-day injured list,” Stearns said. “Having the option also was a good thing.
“This is what we’re going to have to do – find players who are available that we think can help at the major-league level. We think he will be able to do that.”
Walk this way
Of the myriad issues the Cubs have had a week into the season, the performance of its normally stout bullpen was right at the top of the list.
Chicago’s relievers entered Friday having gone a collective 0-3 with an 8.86 earned run average. They’ve also compiled a 2.16 WHIP, surrendered a .314 average to opposing hitters and issued 22 walks – all worst in the National League.
Carl Edwards Jr., one of Chicago's right-handed stalwarts in recent seasons, is tied with Brad Brach for the team lead with five walks in just one inning of work spread over three appearances to go along with a 45.00 ERA.
"It’s a little bit uncharacteristic," said manager Craig Counsell when asked about the walk total for Chicago's relievers. "So, I think you’re aware of it for sure. But how much you can really put into it, it’s a small sample and it’s not characteristic especially of some of the guys.
"You’re certainly aware of what everybody’s doing coming into a series and you have it in your head. But you have to be ready to understand that historically there aren’t that many passes coming from these guys that we’ve seen."
The Brewers were tied for sixth in the majors having drawn 32 walks through seven games.
Brewers announce Wall of Honor inductees
The Brewers announced Friday that they will make four new additions to their “Wall of Honor,” with newly minted Baseball Hall of Fame relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman among those who will return to Miller Park for the ceremony Aug. 9.
Shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Rickie Weeks, both of whom were key cogs on the team that snapped a 26-year streak of missing the playoffs in 2008, will also be back.
Additionally, the Brewers and the Milwaukee Braves Historical Association will induct former infielder Frank Bolling into the Milwaukee Braves Wall of Honor on Friday, May 24.
The Brewers and Milwaukee Braves walls of honor are permanent displays outside of Miller Park on the north side of the stadium adjacent to the Hot Corner entrance.
The Wall of Honor commemorates Milwaukee Brewers players, coaches and executives who meet a set criteria based on service to the organization or career accomplishments.
Those accomplishments include any player that accumulates 2,000 plate appearances with the organization, 1,000 innings pitched, 250 appearances as a pitcher or wins a major award (MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, Fireman of the Year).
Additionally, managers of pennant-winning teams and members of the Baseball Hall of Fame who played for the Brewers are automatically enshrined.
JR Radcliffe of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.