The Milwaukee Brewers activated outfielder Sal Frelick from the 10-day injured list Tuesday ahead of their series against the New York Mets, restoring a key piece of their outfield defense after nearly six weeks on the sidelines.
Frelick had been sidelined since July 18 with a strained right shoulder. The injury kept the right fielder out of action for a little less than six weeks, limiting his contributions during a stretch of the schedule that tested the Brewers’ depth.
As the corresponding roster move, the club designated infielder Jonathan Ornelas for assignment. Ornelas had provided limited support in a utility role during his brief time with the team.
Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Frelick had already traveled to Citi Field. That update came shortly before the official announcement of his activation.
“Sal Frelick is currently in the outfield grass at Citi Field. The expectation is that he will be activated today,” Hogg wrote.
Frelick, a former first-round draft pick, has struggled at the plate this season. He is batting .236 with a .301 on-base percentage and .330 slugging percentage, along with four home runs. His 76 weighted runs created plus ranks among the lower marks of his career to date. It remains unclear how much the shoulder issue contributed to the offensive dip.
The numbers mark a step back from his breakout 2025 campaign. That year Frelick hit .288 with 12 home runs and a .756 on-base plus slugging percentage for Milwaukee, even as some underlying contact metrics suggested the production might not fully align with the quality of his swings.
With Frelick back, the Brewers regain their primary right fielder. Although his bat has lagged, he ranks among the stronger defenders at the position and continues to excel on the bases. Statcast credits him with three baserunning runs above average and seven outs above average this season.
At 26 years old, he fits the club’s preference for players who contribute through speed and glove work even when the offense is inconsistent.
His return tightens the outfield picture. Jackson Chourio remains locked in as the everyday left fielder. Garrett Mitchell and Frelick are expected to handle most of the starts in center and right. That arrangement leaves limited opportunities for Luis Lara and Jake Bauers in the grass.
Lara, a switch-hitter, could settle into more of a platoon role in center field, facing left-handed pitchers while batting right-handed. Mitchell recently had an injury scare against the Atlanta Braves when he was struck in the right forearm by a pitch from Tyler Mahle, but he left the contest without any lasting concerns.
Bauers, meanwhile, may see increased time at first base or designated hitter on days when Christian Yelich requires rest. That shift could further crowd the infield and reduce opportunities for Andrew Vaughn.
Ornelas now heads to the waiver wire for the latest time in his career. The 26-year-old former Texas Rangers prospect has moved among several organizations in recent seasons. The Brewers acquired him from the Athletics in a post-deadline deal after Brice Turang suffered an injury during a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Because Ornelas had not been on a 40-man roster earlier in the season, the trade was possible.
He appeared in nine games for Milwaukee, batting .190 in 22 plate appearances. With Turang healthy again and a roster spot needed for Frelick, the club cut ties. Milwaukee’s 40-man roster now sits at 39 players.
The Brewers have five days to outright Ornelas to the minors or release him. Having been outrighted previously, he can elect free agency if assigned to the minors. Should he land with another team, it would mark the sixth organization for the infielder over the past three seasons.
Frelick’s return comes at a point when the Brewers continue to rely on athleticism and defensive reliability across their roster. While questions linger about his bat, his presence in right field strengthens the club’s overall profile as they open the series in New York.
