Milwaukee Brewers Option Struggling Reliever with 7.36 ERA to Nashville to Make Room for Shelby Miller

As mentioned, the Brewers did not make many deals immediately ahead of the trade deadline this year, but they did make a few. They acquired backup catcher Danny Jansen from the Tampa Rays, for one, and sent Nestor Cortes to the San Diego Padres for outfielder Brandon Lockridge.

But perhaps the most notable trade that Milwaukee made was to send cash to the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitchers Shelby Miller and Jordan Montgomery.

Miller, a reliever, has not pitched in the Majors since last month and Montgomery, a starter, is out for the year after having Tommy John surgery in April. Taking on his salary, though, allowed the Brewers to acquire Miller without having to give up any of their prospects. Since Montgomery is a free agent at the end of the year, it is likely that he will never pitch in a Brewers uniform.

The Milwaukee Brewers Optioned Easton McGee to Nashville, Presumably to Make Room for Shelby Miller

For a variety of reasons, the Brewers have had to rely on their bullpen heavily this season, with Abner Uribe, Jared Koenig, and Nick Mears all appearing in 48 games or more already. And while they have all pitched relatively well, the wear and tear on their arms was becoming a concern.

The addition of Miller, who has a 1.98 ERA in 37 appearances, was made to help give manager Pat Murphy an extra option to turn to. He just completed one rehab outing in Nashville, striking out three and allowing no runs, and is primed to join the Brewers when they return to Milwaukee this weekend.

Presumably, to make room for him on the roster, the Brewers just optioned Easton McGree to Triple-A:

McGee is 0-0 this season with a 7.36 ERA in seven appearances. In his last game, a contest Milwaukee won 16-9, he allowed five runs on five hits and two walks in two innings pitched.