Sal Frelick
RF · Age 26 · Bats Left
Where things stand
Sal Frelick has been cleared to return to the Brewers' roster after spending over a month on the injured list with a right shoulder strain that was discovered to involve a torn labrum. The Gold Glove-winning outfielder progressed through his rehab assignment and recently returned to playing the field for the Nashville Sounds. His return will displace Jonathan Ornelas, who was acquired in a late-trade deadline deal but saw minimal playing time. Frelick's comeback comes as the Brewers manage multiple injuries across their roster during a critical stretch of the season.
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2026 season
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Sal Frelick coverage
Pat Murphy: Creating All-Stars by establishing dominance
Pat Murphy has won back-to-back Manager of the Year Awards while leading one of baseball's youngest rosters, establishing a pattern of benching players mid-at-bat to enforce fundamental standards. Murphy's approach includes pulling Sal Frelick and Caleb Durbin in April for defensive mistakes, Brandon Sproat in August for wild pitches, and Cooper Pratt in a recent game against the Mets for failing to execute a bunt and not running out a ball. While these moves have generally earned fan support and appear to improve player performance, the Pratt benching drew criticism when David Hamilton's replacement at third base threw wildly home in the tenth inning, allowing the Mets to win. Murphy maintains that establishing consequences for poor play sets the tone for the entire clubhouse and ensures winning baseball.
Brew Crew BallFrelick rejoins Brewers after IL stint despite torn labrum
MLB.com BrewersBrewers DFA recent trade addition to make room for Sal Frelick's return from IL
The Brewers designated Jonathan Ornelas for assignment to make room for outfielder Sal Frelick's return from the injured list. Ornelas was acquired from the Athletics just ten days earlier on a post-trade deadline deal, but saw limited playing time after Cooper Pratt returned from his own injury. Frelick has been sidelined since shortly after the All-Star Break with a right shoulder strain, though medical staff cleared him to play despite discovering a labrum tear during evaluation.
Reviewing the BrewBrewers Designate Jonathan Ornelas For Assignment
The Brewers reinstated outfielder Sal Frelick from the injured list and designated infielder/outfielder Jonathan Ornelas for assignment. Ornelas appeared in just three games for Milwaukee after joining the team in a post-trade deadline deal with Oakland, collecting two hits in nine at-bats while filling in at second base. Frelick has been sidelined since mid-July with a right shoulder strain, though he revealed he's been playing through a torn labrum. Frelick's return could affect the playing time of outfielders Garrett Mitchell and Luis Lara.
MLB Trade RumorsPat Murphy reveals updated timeline for Sal Frelick's return to Brewers' roster
Brewers manager Pat Murphy indicated that outfielder Sal Frelick will return to the roster during the team's upcoming series in New York against the Mets, ending a month-long absence due to a right shoulder strain. Frelick suffered the injury while throwing from right field during the second half's opening game and has been sidelined since, marking only his second injured list stint in his four-year career. The 26-year-old Gold Glove winner's return will likely result in Johnathan Ornelas being designated for assignment, as the infielder acquired from Oakland has struggled to find playing time since other injured players returned.
Reviewing the Brew3 Brewers who could be squeezed out of roster spots before the end of August
The Milwaukee Brewers face roster decisions as injured players near returns. Cooper Pratt is expected back Wednesday after a hamstring strain, Sal Frelick approaches his return from a shoulder injury, and JoJo Romero plans a rehab assignment following appendix surgery. Jonathan Ornelas, acquired in a post-deadline trade, will likely be designated for assignment within days once the infielders return. Brandon Lockridge and Luis Lara are competing for outfield time, with Lara currently favored, putting Lockridge's roster spot in jeopardy.
Reviewing the BrewPat Murphy offers encouraging Cooper Pratt update as Brice Turang returns to Brewers' lineup
The Milwaukee Brewers won three of four games against the Los Angeles Dodgers without their starting middle infield duo of rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt and second baseman Brice Turang. Turang returned to the lineup for tonight's game against Seattle and will bat leadoff, while manager Pat Murphy indicated Pratt could rejoin the team as soon as tomorrow. Murphy said the team will need to manage Turang's workload carefully given his intensive pregame routine. Outfielder Sal Frelick remains on the injured list but is progressing through his rehab assignment and could return soon if he continues feeling good after throwing sessions.
Reviewing the Brew4 key takeaways from Brewers' momentum-restoring series win over Dodgers
The Brewers won three of four games against the defending champion Dodgers despite missing key players including Brice Turang, Sal Frelick, Cooper Pratt, and Abner Uribe. Strong pitching from Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson helped Milwaukee capitalize on a struggling Dodgers bullpen that has posted a 4.55 ERA since the All-Star Break. The series victory provided the Brewers momentum after being swept by San Diego and demonstrated they can compete with Los Angeles heading into a potential postseason matchup.
Reviewing the BrewAbner Uribe injury news continues Brewers' brutal stretch of roster setbacks
The Milwaukee Brewers placed relief pitcher Abner Uribe on the injured list retroactively to August 11 due to a right forearm flexor strain, adding to their mounting injury problems during a grueling 17-game stretch without an off-day. Uribe, who had compiled 21 consecutive scoreless appearances and posted a 2.05 ERA with 18 holds this season, hasn't pitched since Sunday. The Brewers have already lost Sal Frelick, Cooper Pratt, Joey Ortiz, and Brice Turang to injuries during this stretch, forcing them to use unconventional defensive alignments. Grant Anderson was recalled from Triple-A to fill Uribe's spot in the bullpen.
Reviewing the BrewSal Frelick to clear necessary hurdle in rehab process as return to Brewers' roster draws nearer
Sal Frelick is set to return to action in right field for the Nashville Sounds tonight, marking his first time playing the field since July 17 after suffering a shoulder strain. The Gold Glove-winning outfielder has been easing back into game action during his rehab assignment, initially serving as the designated hitter for four games before being cleared to take the field. Once Frelick clears this hurdle, his return to the Brewers roster should follow soon, providing a boost to a team dealing with infield injuries to Cooper Pratt and Brice Turang.
Reviewing the BrewBrewers have made clear which outfielder will be sent down upon Sal Frelick's return from IL
The Milwaukee Brewers plan to send down Brandon Lockridge when Sal Frelick returns from his right shoulder injury in mid-August. Lockridge, who was reinstated August 1st, has appeared in only six games and hasn't completed a full contest, while prospect Luis Lara has earned regular playing time in 22 of the 24 games since Frelick's July 18 injury, including earning MLB's Play of the Week for a defensive effort against Minnesota. Lara signed a seven-year extension in June and has a .658 OPS through 85 plate appearances, compared to Frelick's .631 OPS before his injury. The Brewers will need to determine how to balance Frelick and Lara's playing time going forward, with Jake Bauers also factoring into the outfield rotation.
Reviewing the BrewBrewers injury news: Cooper Pratt's progress, Sal Frelick rehab assignment, JoJo Romero's timeline
The first-place Brewers are dealing with multiple infield injuries during a demanding stretch of 17 games in 17 days. Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt suffered a hamstring strain during a game against Minnesota and was placed on the injured list, though manager Pat Murphy reports he is making solid progress and is expected to return in late August. The team has also been affected by Joey Ortiz's neck and upper back soreness and Brice Turang's newly acquired sprained thumb, forcing them to use Ji Hwan Bae, Andrew Vaughn, and Turang as temporary replacements.
Reviewing the Brew