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Brewers Face Middle-Infield Shortage as Brice Turang Is Day-to-Day

A second MRI opinion will determine whether Turang needs the injured list and that decision could deepen Milwaukee’s recent scoring struggles.

Overview

  • Brice Turang missed the Dodgers opener and remained day-to-day after a left knee MRI that showed no obvious severe damage as of Friday while the club seeks a second opinion and considers an injured-list move if he does not improve.
  • Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt is recovering from a hamstring strain, has resumed hitting and fielding, and is expected to begin a short rehab assignment around Aug. 18 with a possible quick return.
  • Manager Pat Murphy has shuffled the diamond, putting Andrew Vaughn at third and Gary Sánchez at first and using David Hamilton at second, while the club has added short-term depth such as Ji-Hwan Bae and designated Drew Rom for assignment.
  • Turang is a key two-way player — a Platinum Glove second baseman with a .810 OPS and team-leading WAR figures — so his absence would hurt both defense and run production during a stretch when the Brewers have scored fewer runs and gone 8-8 over their last 16 games.
  • Watch for the second MRI read and any IL decision by the team, the start of Pratt’s rehab around Aug. 18, and the near-term activation of Sal Frelick from Triple-A as the Brewers try to stabilize their lineup and scoring.