The Milwaukee Brewers are sitting pretty right now, currently owning the best record in baseball at 78-49.
That mark is even more impressive considering that several key pieces in their lineup have missed significant time this season, including Christian Yelich and Jackson Chourio.
Currently, the only Milwaukee position player on the 40-man roster on the injured list is outfielder Sal Frelick. The 26-year-old has not played in an MLB game since July 17 because of a right shoulder strain. However, Frelick looks set to be activated off the 10-day injured list very soon.
Frelick began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on August 8. Over eight games, he is slashing .259/.412/.556 with two home runs, five RBI, and a stolen base. Frelick has reached base safely at least once in every game.
He had his best game during that stretch on Wednesday, going 2-for-5 with a leadoff home run and an RBI single later in the fifth inning.
Frelick worked out with the Brewers on Tuesday, but was sent back to the minor leagues afterward to continue his rehab assignment.
“Sal’s going to play [on Wednesday] night and see if his throws and his arm respond the way [they] did this past time he played,” manager Pat Murphy said before Wednesday’s 7-5 loss to the Seattle Mariners. “Then he’s going to play another game after that to see if it responds. Back-to-back nights, if his arm can respond. If so, we can make a decision on Friday.”
Frelick’s overall offensive numbers are down this season.
Through 90 games in 2026, he is hitting just .236 with a .301 on-base percentage, four home runs, and 34 RBI. Those numbers are notably lower than his .288 batting average, .351 on-base percentage, and .756 OPS in 2025.
Frelick has also been much less aggressive on the bases this season, stealing just six bags compared to 19 last season.
“I don’t think we’ll ever know,” Murphy said when asked if Frelick’s shoulder injury has affected his offensive numbers this season. “Knowing Sal the way we all know Sal, he was not going to speak up about it. I think he’s been injured all year. I’m just hopeful he can play through this and not have to have a more serious approach to it.”
Murphy added that Frelick could’ve been activated from the injured list on Tuesday, but wasn’t.
“He was ready to go,” Murphy said. “But we sent him back in order to ensure that he knew what we wanted: Two straight days playing and your arm feels good. We told him, ‘This is your career at stake.’”
Despite Frelick’s dip in production, he remains a key hitter in Milwaukee’s lineup, especially in terms of contact and plate discipline.
Frelick’s 10.7 percent whiff rate ranks in the 99th percentile, while his 9.9 percent strikeout rate is in the 97th percentile. He has drawn 25 walks compared to recording just 31 strikeouts over 276 at-bats this season.
Additionally, Frelick’s defense is elite when at his best. He posted a +6 Outs Above Average in 2024 and +7 Outs Above Average in 2025 before posting a mark of 0 this season.
If all goes well in Frelick’s next rehab game, he could be in line to return for a crucial three-game series against the Atlanta Braves beginning Friday at 4:10 p.m. ET.
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