Brewers CF Garrett Mitchell (broken hand) to start season on IL

Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell, expected to land a good deal of playing time this season, has a hand fracture and will begin the season on the injured list.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy made the announcement Monday, and said Mitchell suffered the left-hand injury on a swing during a weekend game.

The 20th overall pick out of UCLA in the 2020 draft, Mitchell has a career slash line of .278/.343/.452 in 47 games, with five home runs, 16 RBIs and nine steals.

He has been injury-prone since draft day, missing all but 19 games last season because of shoulder surgery. Mitchell, 25, hit .246 (.315 on-base percentage) with three homers and seven RBIs in those 19 games last season.

Murphy said Mitchell would see a specialist to provide further evaluation.

Sal Frelick is expected to move to the outfield from third base to fill some of Mitchell's responsibilities.

During spring training, Mitchell hit .319 with a .385 on-base percentage and eight RBIs, two steals and a home run in only 47 at-bats.

-Field Level Media