Logan

Schafer

Schafer posted a cool .311/.326/.489 batting line in 21 games this spring in the Cactus League, but he never had much of a shot at cracking the Opening Day roster.

Schafer, 25, batted .278/.332/.438 with 11 home runs, 40 RBI, 16 stolen bases and a .770 OPS over 124 games in Triple-A this year. He will function as a reserve outfielder as the Brewers play out the string.

Finally a breakout game for Schafer, who entered the night with just one extra-base hit and one RBI in 50 at-bats this season. The Brewers had reason to think he’d be a really nice fourth outfielder this year. Maybe it will start to materialize now.

Braun departed Sunday’s game in the third inning after experiencing renewed thumb discomfort. The left fielder is hoping to avoid the disabled list, but he is going to need regular days off until the thumb improves. Logan Schafer is starting in his place Monday versus Miami.

He’s just getting the day off. Logan Schafer will make the start in left field and bat eighth.

Although Shafer at times looks like a high-schooler at the dish -- slashing .182/.250/.205 -- he’s actually registered a positive WAR, due to the three runs he’s estimated to have saved in the field, per Baseball Reference. That’s good enough to keep a roster spot in the majors, of course, but glove-only subs will have to wait until fantasy baseball evolves to include advanced defensive metrics to have any value even in the deepest of leagues.

Braun has been dealing with the injury for quite some time now, and the team feels it’s in his best interest to shut him down completely and let it heal. Assuming he doesn’t suffer any setbacks, Braun should still be expected to return before the end of June. Logan Schafer has been filling in while Braun was sidelined, and sees a substantial boost to his fantasy value while receiving everyday at-bats.

Braun hasn’t played since exiting Sunday’s game early due to his nagging thumb injury, which has been an issue for a month. It’s a little silly that the Brewers haven’t placed him on the DL at this point, but it appears that they’ll hold out as long as possible before making a roster move. Logan Schafer is in left field Friday.

Braun is dealing with a pretty severe case of neck spasms and has now missed all three starts of the series against the Diamondbacks. A trip to the disabled list seems unlikely, but it’s not clear when he’ll return to action. Logan Schafer is starting in left field in his place.

Aoki is hitting just .171 (6-for-35) over his last nine games, so he’ll get a day off to regroup. Logan Schafer will start in his place in right field.