Brewers Announce Replacement After Cooper Pratt News

Pratt was not included in manager Pat Murphy’s lineup for Tuesday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which was unexpected given he had started to pick things up at the plate and was in the midst of a three-game hitting streak.

Instead the Brewers replaced him up the middle with infielder Joey Ortiz. Ortiz was Milwaukee’s primary shortstop before Pratt’s emergence but has since moved into a platoon role at third base alongside David Hamilton.

Before the game, an update emerged explaining Pratt’s absence. “Joey Ortiz gets the start at shortstop because Cooper Pratt is out with illness,” wrote Brewers sideline reporter Sophia Minnaert ahead of first pitch.

It is good to hear that it is not an injury-related setback for Pratt, who has already dealt with a right hamstring strain back in August and had X-rays taken earlier this month on his left forearm. He will look to return to the starting nine on Wednesday in another matchup with Pittsburgh.