Andruw

Monasterio

Monasterio didn’t even enter the game until the eighth inning as a defensive replacement. He was plunked by Riley O’Brien in the ninth inning and ultimately scored during the Brewers’ game-tying three-run rally. He then played the role of hero in the 10th as he battled Kyle Leahy for a 10-pitch at-bat before serving the game-winning single into center field to plate Caleb Durbin with the winning run and send the Brewers’ home faithful into a frenzy. The 28-year-old infielder is now hitting .290/.339/.486 with four homers and 16 RBI in 115 plate appearances with the Brewers on the season.

Monasterio, filling in for the injured Joey Ortiz at shortstop, had an RBI single in the third and a 404-foot homer in the fourth. One of several role players to step up in a thus-far incredibly successful season for the Brewers, Monasterio has a .779 OPS in 87 plate appearances. He’ll remain in the lineup regularly while Ortiz is out.

Ortiz suffered the injured during Thursday’s ballgame against the Cubs. No official word yet on the results of Ortiz’s MRI exam or how severe the strain is, but he’ll miss at least a couple of weeks. Andruw Monasterio is starting in his place at shortstop on Friday night and should see increased action while Oritz is shelved.

You get to lead off the following contest when you slug a go-ahead homer to propel your club to their 14th consecutive victory. Those are the rules. Monasterio bumps up to the top spot with Sal Frelick getting the day off with lefty Andrew Abbott toeing the rubber for Cincinnati.

Monasterio was hitting for Tyler Black against lefty Joe La Sorsa when he launched his second homer in 68 plate appearances this season and sixth in 525 plate appearances for his career. The Brewers needed all three runs, too, as the Reds came back with two in the bottom of the 11th against Nick Mears. The Brewers have won 14 straight games.

The Brewers are facing right-hander Gavin Williams, and Monasterio is still getting the start over Joey Ortiz. Monasterio has started the last three games, two at shortstop and one at third base, while both Ortiz and Caleb Durbin continue to struggle. Monasterio hit .250 with four home runs and eight steals in 30 games at Triple-A this season.

Ortiz receives his first day off since April 22 after making 18 consecutive starts. The 26-year-old speedster has gotten off to a brutal start at the plate this season, hitting .176/.233/.228 with one homer, six RBI and four steals through 40 games. His 86.4 mph average exit velocity represents the fifth-worst mark among qualified hitters this season. It’ll be Andruw Monasterio filling in at shortstop on Monday evening.

Monasterio is up to take the roster spot of Vinny Capra, as Capra was awful (4-for-54) before being designated for assignment. The 27-year-old will be a versatile bench option with Milwaukee, and he could get a start or two a week. There won’t be enough playing time or success with said time to make him a fantasy option.

Yoho boasts one of the most electric changeups in the game and has recorded astronomical strikeout totals in the upper minors. It feels like only a matter of time before he reaches the big leagues. Monasterio’s departure leaves Caleb Durbin and Vinny Capra as Milwaukee’s likely bench options as versatile utility infielders.

Ortiz has been on the IL with neck stiffness since July 3rd, but it sounds like he could be activated as soon as he’s eligible on Friday or soon after. He should take over regular third base duties from Andruw Monasterio when he’s activated.