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Milwaukee Brewers’ Former 30-HR Hitter Anticipates Return to Majors After All-Star Break
Milwaukee Brewers' Former 30-HR Hitter Anticipates Return to Majors After All-Star Break 1 Aug 25, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rowdy Tellez (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run agains the San Diego Padres in the third inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday, the Texas Rangers placed first baseman Jake Burger on the injured list with a left quad strain. To fill his place, they plan on calling up a former Milwaukee Brewers slugger who joined the team on a minor league deal earlier this month.

Milwaukee Brewers Fan Favorite Gets Another Chance Out West

At Triple-A Round Rock, Rowdy Tellez went 5-15 with two home runs and a double. Following a successful workout with the Rangers, it seems he’s done enough to earn his next shot. ESPN reports that Tellez will join the Texas roster when action resumes on Friday.

It has been two seasons since he last swung a bat for the Brewers. He started the year with another American League West team, the Mariners, but was released in late June. Pop wasn’t the problem. On the season, Tellez hit 11 homers and drove in 27 in 173. at bats. A .249 on-base percentage was not so flattering.

Tellez spent 2024 in Pittsburgh, where he put up numbers similar to his last season in Milwaukee. Near the end of the year, the Pirates released him four at bats before he would have triggered a $250,000 contract bonus.


Milwaukee Brewers' Former 30-HR Hitter Anticipates Return to Majors After All-Star Break 2 Sep 3, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first base Rowdy Tellez (44) gestures after hitting a one-run single against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

In his seven-year career, Tellez has enjoyed his best success as a Brewer. Coming over in midseason trade from Toronto in 2021, he mashed in Milwaukee to close out the year, driving in 28 in 158 at bats. He also hit a pair of homeruns in the division series against Atlanta.

The next season was his most productive in the big leagues as Tellez launched 35 bombs to go with 89 RBIs. Never a high average hitter, the lefty lumberjack struggled to replicate that level of power in 2023 with the Brewers and they let him walk that offseason.

In Seattle this season, Tellez rediscovered his thump from three years ago; now he has just has to hit for a slightly better average and draw a few more walks. In 726 career games, he has hit 116 homeruns and slashed .232/.299/.436.


Milwaukee Brewers' Former 30-HR Hitter Anticipates Return to Majors After All-Star Break 3 Jun 29, 2023; New York City, New York, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rowdy Tellez (11) singles during the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports (MLB News)

Despite a relatively brief stint, he remains a popular figure with many Brewers fans. They’ll be rooting for him to uncork at least a few moonshots in the hot air of Arlington, Texas. The Rangers kick off the second half against Detroit on Friday night.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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