Milwaukee Brewers: Power-Hitting 1st Baseman from AL East Named Ideal Trade Target 1 Jul 2, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (12) watches from the dugout prior to game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Milwaukee Brewers Surprisingly Postpone Rhys Hoskins’ Return Amid 2-Month Absence

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By John Sbisa | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 7:25 PM ET

Rhys Hoskins is apparently ready to return from his rehab assignment, but the Milwaukee Brewers are choosing not to bring him back just yet. Instead, they activated Joey Ortiz from the injured list and promoted pitcher Craig Yoho from Triple-A as their September call up moves. For now, no one is being removed from the big-league club to make room for an additional spot. The Brewers will continue riding with Jake Bauers behind Andrew Vaughn at first base, and their manager points to a clear reason for it.

Hoskins loses Milwaukee Brewers’ depth-chart priority for moment

Of the two, Hoskins and Bauers, the former has had a much better year: Hoskins is hitting .242/.340/.428 versus .188/.314/.338 for Bauers entering Monday. Hoskins has a 114 OPS+; Bauers an 84.

But Bauers can play a bit of outfield, giving Pat Murphy some flexibility in the field in late-game scenarios, and bats left-handed. Both Vaughn and Hoskins also swing a righty bat, which limits how the Brewers can manipulate pitcher matchups, either against the opposing starter or as a counter to pitching changes later.

That’s really what the decision boils down to, Murphy said, via Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. “There isn’t a target date. We just feel like with our roster the way it is right now, he’s a first baseman and a DH. We have both of those positions right now, and we have the opposite-handed, the left-handed, hitter for pinch-hit situations,” Murphy said, referencing Bauers.

“So to thread the needle, we still feel like we need a little more time. With Jackson Chourio’s health and the youth on the infield, we need a little more time to see how that’s all going to fall.”

Milwaukee Brewers Surprisingly Postpone Rhys Hoskins' Return Amid 2-Month Absence 2 May 3, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (12) reacts after hitting a solo home run as Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly (15) looks on at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

With Hoskins’ rehab assignment extended to September 9, the Brewers will have at least another week to evaluate roster needs. Now that Vaughn has cooled, going 5-for-his-last-30 without a homerun since August 15, having a solid backup is a relevant consideration. Certainly Bauers’ left-handed bat helps in theory, but he also needs to do damage in practice. He went 0-3 in his latest opportunity on Monday, starting at first before Vaughn pinch-hit for him.

Bauers is 0-9 plus a walk since being recalled from his own rehab. If he stays cold, the Brewers will have to disregard lefty-righty splits and call up Hoskins to replace him – and they’ll have to do it sooner, not later.

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

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