Brewers Acquire Jonathan Ornelas From Athletics

The Brewers and Athletics agreed to a minor trade this afternoon, with the A’s sending Jonathan Ornelas to Milwaukee for cash considerations.

The Brewers reportedly plan to select Ornelas, and he will be active this evening when they take on the Dodgers (per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com). Jihwan Bae will be designated for assignment as the corresponding move.

Ornelas was playing with the A’s just last week, which makes this a somewhat unique move. Players who have already been selected to a 40-man roster typically can’t be moved after the trade deadline (which passed on August 3). Ornelas, however, was designated for assignment and elected free agency earlier this week. He then re-upped with the A’s on a minor league deal. Ornelas hasn’t been on a 40-man roster under this current contract, so he’s allowed to be traded.

[Related: How To Acquire Players After The MLB Trade Deadline]

The 26-year-old Ornelas appeared in six games with the A’s. He picked up two hits in a dozen at-bats. He also struck out seven times. Ornelas has put together a strong season at Triple-A between the Yankees and A’s affiliates. He’s posted a 128 wRC+ with 11 home runs and 11 stolen bases across 81 games.

Ornelas hasn’t hit much in his career, even in the minors, heading into this season. His real value for the Brewers is defensive versatility. He’s spent time at every infield position except first base as a big leaguer. Ornelas has also made occasional appearances in the outfield. The utilityman has been a neutral defender or better at every spot except second base.

Milwaukee added Bae last week after he was released by the Mets. He’d spent all year at Triple-A Syracuse after getting claimed by New York over the winter. The Brewers were thin on infield depth after Cooper Pratt strained his hamstring. Bae got into four games with Milwaukee, mostly as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.

Bae, 27, had spent his entire pro career in the Pirates organization before this season. He was signed as an international free agent in 2018. Bae was a borderline top-10 prospect in the system around the time of his first big-league promotion in 2022. He offered speed and not much else across parts of four MLB seasons in Pittsburgh. Bae’s longest look with the Pirates came in 2023. He stole 24 bases in 111 games, but scuffled to a 66 wRC+ while splitting time between second base and center field.

The Brewers will now look to pass Bae through waivers. He’s been outrighted before, so if he clears waivers, he’ll have the right to reject a minor league assignment and test free agency.