Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins Out Week-to-Week With Hamstring Strain
The Milwaukee Brewers’ offence took a massive hit on Tuesday.
First baseman Rhys Hoskins was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right hamstring strain prior to first pitch versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. He’s expected to miss 2-4 weeks, Brewers manager Pat Murphy announced.
In a corresponding move, Milwaukee recalled infielder Owen Miller from Triple-A Nashville to fill Hoskins’ roster spot. The 27-year-old has gone 1-for-12 with five strikeouts and two runs batted in across seven games with the big-league club this season.
Hoskins, who missed all of last season after tearing the ACL in his left leg during spring training, departed Monday’s game in the second inning after experiencing discomfort while rounding first base on a single to right field.
The 31-year-old slugger underwent an MRI on his right leg Tuesday morning, which revealed a mild strain.
“They don’t think it’s terribly bad, but still, like any hamstring strain, it’s going to take two, three, four weeks,” Murphy told reporters following Tuesday’s 4-3 victory over the Pirates. “You just don’t know. You’ve got to see how it comes along.”
It’s a significant loss for the Brewers, as Hoskins had been enjoying a fantastic start during his inaugural campaign with the franchise, leading the team in home runs with nine. He also ranks first in isolated power (.241) while sitting second in SLG (.474) behind William Contreras (.521).
The right-handed-hitting first baseman has slashed .233/.340/.474 with 27 RBIs and a 132 wRC+ over 38 games, worth 0.4 fWAR. He started 22 of those contests at first, logging 185 innings on the right side of the diamond.
“It seemed to be like right as I was getting to the turn there,” Hoskins said of his injury post-game. “I was kind of thinking two out of the box just because of where the ball was placed. I just got into the turn and felt it grab.”
Jake Bauers has split time at first base with Hoskins early on this season, and he’ll likely occupy the majority of playing time there in his absence. Gary Sanchez could also fill in when needed, considering he’s made four appearances at that position in 2024.
Miller will likely bounce around all over the field, like he has previously, given that he’s played every position except for centre field and catcher in the majors.
Replacing Hoskins’ offensive value will undoubtedly prove far more challenging however. He hit .246/.332/.462 with 30 home runs and 79 RBIs while posting a 122 wRC+ in 156 games during his final healthy season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022.
After spending his first seven seasons with the Phillies, the 2014 fifth-round selection entered free agency last winter before signing a two-year, $34-million contract with Milwaukee. He can opt out of his deal after this season, allowing him to re-enter the open market.
With Hoskins likely sidelined through the end of May, he might not be available when the Brewers travel to Philadelphia for a three-game series from June 3-5th, possibly delaying his return to Citizens Bank Park until 2025.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @Hall_Thomas_
Photo: Daveynin. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.