Brewers expand roster by calling Owen Miller, Clayton Andrews up from Nashville
The Milwaukee Brewers turned to a familiar face Friday as teams were allowed to expand their rosters by two players.
Utility man Owen Miller was recalled on Friday from Class AAA Nashville along with left-hander Clayton Andrews in advance of a big series against the Philadelphia Phillies at American Family Field, giving manager Craig Counsell another versatile position player to deploy off the bench.
"I would expect Owen to be used largely in small pieces later in games," Counsell said. "That's where you're going to find him mostly used."
Miller, a Fredonia native, was a big contributor in May with a career-high hitting streak of 13 games (.408 average) but he saw his productivity and playing time drop off before he was ultimately optioned out on Aug. 2.
He hit .276 with two home runs and 11 runs batted in over 20 games for the Sounds.
"I was in this position last year with Cleveland coming down the stretch, playing meaningful baseball," said Miller, who has hit .264 with five homers and 27 RBI in 86 games with the Brewers.
"It's something special. I'm here to bring good vibes and hopefully we can make a push here the last month. I was able to play every day – a little outfield, a little first, a little second. Just seeing pitching every day, being able to work on some stuff in the cage and get everything fine-tuned.
"When I got the call to come back up here I knew I was ready. I'm excited."
Andrews is likely to be a one-game callup with Counsell confirming Colin Rea will make a spot start Saturday in place of the injured Adrian Houser.
In recalling Miller and Andrews, the Brewers opted against bringing up top prospects Tyler Black and Robert Gasser, as well as infielder/designated hitter Keston Hiura, which wasn't much of a surprise.
Craig Counsell hopes Josh Donaldson can make an impact
Counsell also offered his thoughts on the signing of third baseman Josh Donaldson to a minor-league contract on Thursday.
"He hasn't played in six weeks here, so we've got to get him some at-bats and get him ready to play," Counsell said. "We'll see how long that takes and then we'll get him here.
"Anytime you're trying something like this there's a lot of unknowns and a big range of outcomes. But (his experience and presence) are the reasons we were interested and we hope that there's an ability to make an impact in some big games."
Julio Teheran recovery update
Counsell also said that right-hander Julio Teheran will throw a bullpen session in Milwaukee before heading out to make a second rehab start for Nashville after suffering a hip impingement in July.
Teheran allowed seven hits, four runs and a walk and hit a batter while striking out four over 2 ⅓ innings in his first rehab start on Thursday.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Brewers call up Owen Miller, Clayton Andrews from Nashville
