The Milwaukee Brewers are turning to Andrew Vaughn at third base Sunday against the Minnesota Twins, the first time since 2021. Jake Bauers takes over for Vaughn at first base.
The move comes a day after Joey Ortiz was pulled from Saturday's 4-3 win over the Twins after the third inning due to neck tightness that flared up during a second-inning strikeout.
Manager Pat Murphy said the discomfort was located in the lower part of Ortiz's neck, and that the club sent him for an MRI as a precaution. David Hamilton took over for Ortiz for the remainder of the game.
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With Ortiz likely out for at least a couple of days, Vaughn will man the hot corner, a position that he has barely touched at the major league level. Hunter Baumgardt of Fox Sports 920 Milwaukee first reported the move.
Vaughn's last start at third was back in 2021 with the Chicago White Sox for just one game. On Sunday, he's set for the second of his career.
Vaughn is batting .303 with a .394 on-base percentage, a .475 slugging percentage and a .869 OPS through 72 games this season, adding five home runs and 34 RBIs. His offensive numbers back up a strong glove at first all season, yet he faces a new challenge while Ortiz's status is sorted out.
The Brewers have not announced any update since Saturday on Ortiz. The club will have to lean on both Vaughn and Hamilton to fill the gap at third while trying to hold their spot at the top of the National League Central with a 73-44 record.
