Brewers' opening-day starter curse remains intact as team designates Jhoulys Chacín for assignment

Pulling the trigger on a move that had been discussed internally for about a week but finalized Saturday, the Milwaukee Brewers designated right-hander Jhoulys Chacín for assignment.

The transaction was a startling one considering Chacín was the team's opening-day starter March 28.

He won that outing against the St. Louis Cardinals but only two more after that point. Chacín strained his right lat during an at-bat July 24, was placed on the injured list the following day and had been looking at a return sometime early next month.

Instead, the 31-year-old is likely to wind up with another team looking for a veteran arm during the stretch run. Chacín finished his Brewers tenure in 2019 with a 3-10 record, 5.79 earned run average and WHIP of 1.56 in 19 starts (88 2/3 innings).

His last victory came all the way back on April 30.

"We looked at where we're headed for September. We talked to Jhoulys, we talked to his agent and evaluated where he was from a physical standpoint," said president of baseball operations David Stearns on what was a busy day for him and the club.

It was also announced that outfielder Ben Gamel was optioned to Class AAA San Antonio, with utility man Cory Spangenberg had his contract selected from San Antonio. He took Chacín's spot on the 40-man roster.

"Some of the guys we're very likely going to have in September and some of the roster space from the 40-man perspective that we were going to need to create over the next couple of weeks (necessitated the move)," Stearns continued with regard to Chacín.

"All involved thought this was the right time to make this move. These moves are always tough when you're saying goodbye to someone who's contributed to such an extent."

No one could have predicted such a finish to Chacín's time with the Brewers -- especially considering how good he was a year ago.

After signing a two-year, $15.5 million free-agent contract on Dec. 21, 2017, Chacín emerged as Milwaukee's unquestioned best starter while turning in a career year in 2018.

Using his tremendous slider to great effect, he led the major leagues by making 35 starts while posting a 15-8 record, 3.50 ERA and WHIP of 1.16. His 192 2/3 innings were most by a Milwaukee starter since 2014.

Chacín's performance in the postseason -- 2-1 record, 1.46 ERA in three starts -- was what should cement him in team lore moving forward despite his relatively short time in Milwaukee.

And that run was preceded by a 5 2/3-inning, one-hit, one-run performance in the Brewers' Game 163 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field last Oct. 1, when they claimed their second-ever Central Division title.

In his 11th season in the major leagues, Chacín is 77-87 with a 4.00 ERA in 249 appearances (221 starts).

"This a guy who's started some of the most important games in the history of this franchise," Stearns said. "He's been a major contributor here and we're appreciative of it.

"When we talked to him last night -- and, frankly, throughout this process -- he's expressed appreciation for the opportunity he got here. He's been a tremendous professional and he's going to land on his feet.

"He's been through a whole lot in his career, this is just another hurdle for him to overcome."

Neither Stearns nor manager Craig Counsell could put a finger on why Chacín regressed so badly this season, although Stearns posited that perhaps the heavy workload Chacín endured last year played a role.

“We just didn’t get the results we wanted," Counsell said. "Jhoulys probably pitched as well as he’s ever pitched last year, especially going into the second half of last year. In spring training, I didn’t think much had changed.

"During the season, we struggled with the slider for a bit of time and then we struggled with the fastball command for a bit of time. The reason we’re here is we didn’t come up with any answers, unfortunately."

Chacín becomes the latest casualty in what's becoming an ever-growing list of Milwaukee pitchers who struggle badly after starting opening day.

Kyle Lohse (2015), Wily Peralta (2016), Junior Guerra (2017) and Chase Anderson (2018) all woefully underperformed, were injured or both.

Yovani Gallardo was the last Brewers opening-day starter to go onto anything resembling a good season, and that was all the way back in 2012, when he finished 16-9 with a 3.66 ERA in 33 outings.

"I was waiting for this question," Stearns said with a laugh. "I think it's a great storyline and obviously everyone is talking about it, right? I don't know what's happened before I've been here but since I've been here, but the guy we've given the ball to on Day 1 of the season hasn't pitched particularly well the rest of the season.

"It's really strange and it's an interesting conversation -- and there's likely absolutely nothing behind it."

Spangenberg, 28, found himself starting at shortstop in his 2019 Brewers debut after hitting .309 with 14 home runs, 62 runs batted in and 28 stolen bases in 113 games at San Antonio.

The former first-round pick was a .258 hitter in 387 career games with the San Diego Padres spanning 2014-18.

Spangenberg played every position but pitcher and catcher for the Missions, essentially giving Counsell a left-handed-hitting version of Hernán Pérez.

"It was a lot of fun -- every day I’d show up to the ballpark and I wasn’t sure where I was playing," he said. "But it kept things interesting, and just to be able to play all those positions is good confidence."

Gamel was a valuable piece for the Brewers as a fourth outfielder and came up with several big hits over his 109 games. He hit .243 with seven homers and 29 RBI, but rookie Trent Grisham had largely usurped his playing time since joining the team on Aug. 1.

"It really is about just trying to find a 25-man group that gives Craig the best flexibility we can," Stearns said. "With Trent coming up here and gaining some fairly significant playing time, Ben's playing time has been reduced a little bit. (Lorenzo Cain) is feeling better now so he's going to be out there more days than not.

"There just wasn't a really consistent role, at least right now, for Ben and we thought it was important to get Ben some consistent playing time and consistent at-bats at Triple-A before September. Cory gives us a little more versatility. An extra guy who can play on the dirt, who can play on the infield.

"He'll be in the starting lineup tonight and you'll probably see that again against some select right-handed pitchers."