Brewers acquire catcher Victor Caratini in deal with Padres

On April 5, Brewers catcher Pedro Severino was hit with an 80-game suspension from MLB for a positive drug test. Severino has since said he tested positive for taking the fertility drug Clomiphene. 

"Since late 2020, my wife and I had been trying to start a family unsuccessfully. When we returned to the Dominican Republic after the 2021 season, we sought medical assistance to determine why we had not succeeded," Severino said via a statement released by the MLB Players Association. "One of the doctors I consulted with prescribed me with medication to treat infertility issues. Unfortunately, I now know that medication contained Clomiphene." 

Omar Narvaez is the starting catcher for the Brewers, but with Severino out for 80 games, Milwaukee quickly found a backup in Caratini. 

Last season, in 116 games with San Diego, Caratini batted .227 with seven HR and 39 RBI. 

The Padres are getting a top-30 prospect in Howell and a serviceable minor league catcher in Sullivan. 

Howell, listed as a centerfielder, shortstop, and third baseman, is ranked the No. 29 prospect for the Brewers by Baseball American. Last season, he split time between High-A and AA, batting a combined .244 with 16 HR and 51 RBI. 

Meanwhile, Sullivan has spent six seasons catching in the minor leagues, playing last season in AAA, where he posted a .223 batting average with nine HR and 35 RBI.