Brewers claim RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez, transfer Freddy Peralta to 60-day IL

Chi Chi Gonzalez was designated for assignment this past weekend by the Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee claimed him on Tuesday. Over the winter, he was signed to a minor-league contract with the Twins, where he pitched in Triple-A Saint Paul. Gonzalez posted a 3.44 ERA with a 9.3% walk rate, and 23.2% strikeout rate in 36 2/3 innings of work. In the majors, the right-hander posted an ERA of 7.71 in two games, allowing 12 hits and six runs.

While there hasn’t been much success in terms of MLB pitching, he’s surely done enough to make his way to Milwaukee to join their pitching staff. Gonzalez has a four-pitch arsenal with a sinker, four-seamer, change-up and the slider. When on the mound, Gonzalez has seen good groundout rates in both Triple-A at 55.7%, and the major leagues at 55.6%.

The RHP is out of minor league options, so Milwaukee will have to make do with what they have at the big league level. The starting rotation now features Corbin Burnes, Aaron Ashby, Adrian Houser, Eric Lauer and Jason Alexander.

To make room for Gonzalez, the Brewers have transferred Freddy Peralta to the 60-day injured list. If you recall, Peralta sustained a shoulder injury in his start against the Nationals. This doesn’t push back any return timeframe. Besides, to get that full recovery, it’s likely that Peralta will be placed on a rehab assignment.