Pat Murphy provided an update on Joey Ortiz as the Milwaukee Brewers prepare for their National League Division Series opener.
Ortiz underwent an MRI over the weekend, with Murphy saying the structural results were good. However, the Brewers manager remains cautious because Ortiz is dealing with a bruised right knee and abdominal swelling.
Ortiz has not played since leaving Milwaukee’s Sept. 25 game against the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth inning.
The Brewers have extra time to monitor Ortiz because their 103-59 regular season earned them a first-round bye. Milwaukee will open the NLDS on Oct. 3 against the winner of the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres Wild Card Series.
Ortiz was an important part of the Brewers’ infield during the regular season. He appeared in 134 games and hit .270 with a .328 on-base percentage, .402 slugging percentage, nine home runs, 47 RBI and nine stolen bases.
Ortiz also recorded 100 hits, 14 doubles and four triples while drawing 35 walks. His availability could give Milwaukee another option in the infield as the team begins its postseason run.
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For now, Murphy is giving Ortiz time rather than rushing him back into game action. The seven-day window between his last regular-season appearance and the NLDS gives the Brewers additional time to evaluate his condition.
Milwaukee enters October after winning 103 games, but Ortiz’s health is one of the situations the team will continue monitoring before Game 1. His status should become clearer as the Brewers get closer to their postseason opener.
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