Jesse Winker comes all the way back to surprisingly make the Brewers' wild-card series roster
With the page turning from the regular season to the postseason, one somewhat forgotten player has found himself right back in the mix with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Jesse Winker, who lost 76 games to two stints on the injured list stemming from neck, back and leg issues and hasn't had a plate appearance in the major leagues since July 24, was one of a couple surprising additions to the team's National League wild-card series roster Tuesday.
"Being a part of this in any capacity, it's just an honor," Winker said before the Brewers opened their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. "I'm grateful to be activated for it. It's a fun time and it's the best time of year.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Unfortunately for Winker and the Brewers, things didn't work out as planned.
The Diamondbacks rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to win, 6-3, and Winker suffered what was believed to be an oblique injury on a swing in a pinch-hitting appearance in the eighth inning.
He went on to strike out against Kevin Ginkel on three pitches.
Winker, acquired in the offseason along with Abraham Toro from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Kolten Wong, was expected to provide offensive punch from the left side of the plate as the Brewers' primary designated hitter.
But he never was able to discover that power stroke, homering only once and driving in 23 runs in 197 plate appearances over 61 games to go along with a .199 average and .567 OPS.
"You always want to do whatever you can to help, and help more," Winker said. "This wasn't the year for me to do that. But you turn the page, and whatever you can do to help the team throughout the playoffs, the wild-card series – whatever it is – you just try to do that.
"That's what this is about. It's always about the team. Obviously in the regular season you'd like to have a good personal season, but sometimes that doesn't happen. And that's part of this game. Now, it's just about doing whatever you can to help the team win."
Brewers see Jesse Winker as a pinch-hitter in the playoffs
Once recovered sufficiently from his back and leg issue in mid-August, Winker did log a number of at-bats first at advanced Class A Wisconsin and then at Class AAA Nashville. He finished the season with the Sounds on Sept. 23.
"I think Jesse has had a rough season here for sure," Counsell said. "He has had injuries, hasn't performed the way he wanted. Ultimately that decision was, we have to pick a bat, we have to pick the guy in a pinch-hit situation – who do we want up there?
"We just had to make that choice."
In 12 pinch-hit appearances for the Brewers this season, Winker did hit .417 with three RBI and two walks.
"Whether you don't have an at-bat in two months or two years, it's the playoffs," Winker said when asked if he felt he'd be ready with such a long time off from seeing major-league pitching. "I think all bets are off. So, I'll just say it doesn't matter, if I'm being completely honest with you.
"I'm just happy to be part of it."
Winker also made sure to shout out a number of coaches and support staff both at the major- and minor-league levels for helping him endure what's been a tough year personally and for keeping him ready for this latest opportunity.
"The guys in this clubhouse have been tremendous. I've learned a ton from them, the coaches here and the organization itself," he said. "I spent a lot of time in the minor leagues this year and I have to give a special thank-you to the coaches there.
"All those guys helped me out tremendously when I was on those rehab assignments. They constantly reminded me, 'Hey, get ready, because you never know when your name could be called for the playoffs. They kept me motivated and provided me a ton of work."
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Jesse Winker added first base to his repertoire while with the Brewers
Included in that work has been picking up a new position – first base. And while it's difficult to see Winker returning to the Brewers next season, adding another tool to his toolbox should be helpful for him wherever he winds up next.
Former Cincinnati Reds teammates Joey Votto and Nick Castellanos have helped Winker with advice on making the transition, and Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy and roving infield instructor Matt Erickson have been hands-on with Winker when he's been with the team.
Oh yeah, and third-base Jason Lane was also nice enough to loan Winker his first baseman's glove.
"Going forward I'm looking at myself as a first baseman that can help in the outfield as well," Winker said. "It's a position I felt a ton of comfort at immediately, and obviously it's just continuing to get better with that."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers put Jesse Winker on wild-card series roster in surprise move
