Brewers Manager Pat Murphy Supports Struggling Red Sox’s Caleb Durbin
Brewers manager Pat Murphy praised Caleb Durbin’s resiliency on Monday. He noted Durbin’s steady defensive growth despite an early slump at third base.
Durbin’s defensive turnaround
Durbin struggled early after his mid-April promotion to the majors. Scouts graded him well below average at third for the first month.
He improved over time and posted strong advanced defensive metrics. That progress convinced Boston to keep him at third, with Marcelo Mayer at second.
Offensively, Durbin has cooled recently. The club and Murphy still expect a rebound at the plate.
Murphy’s endorsement
Brewers Manager Pat Murphy Supports Struggling Red Sox’s Caleb Durbin, Murphy said, noting Durbin “conquers” challenges and will get through slumps.
Murphy compared Durbin’s arc to Dustin Pedroia’s early struggles. He recalled giving Pedroia encouragement before the 2007 season took off.
Lineup shifts and Trevor Story’s struggles
Red Sox manager Alex Cora adjusted his lineup on Monday. Masataka Yoshida moved to the second spot.
Wilyer Abreu was bumped to fourth. Trevor Story moved from second to fifth.
Story’s recent numbers are concerning. He entered the week batting .119 with five hits in 42 at-bats.
He had zero walks and 17 strikeouts. Defensively he committed three errors, one in each series.
Cora said he hoped a new batting slot could help Story relax. Story went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts Sunday. He added a 1-for-4 outing with two RBIs on Monday.
Brewers recall and roster moves
Milwaukee called up right-hander Shane Drohan on Monday. He is a former Red Sox prospect.
Murphy said Drohan will pitch in the series and might start Wednesday. Murphy added it was meaningful for Drohan to pitch in a place he once aspired to reach.
- Garrett Whitlock returned from the paternity list.
- Tyler Uberstine was optioned back to Triple-A Worcester.
- Patrick Galle was sent to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the Sonny Gray trade.
Injury rehab and travel woes
Patrick Sandoval had a rehab start rained out at Double-A Portland on Sunday. He made a lengthy trip that began with a five-hour drive to New Jersey.
After the postponement, Sandoval returned to Boston by car, a six-hour drive.
Other notes from the series
Houston’s Yordan Alvarez was named American League Player of the Week. That follows facing the Reds’ Sal Stewart earlier in the season.
Boston visitors also included a Celtics quartet. Derrick White, Ron Harper Jr., Sam Hauser, and Baylor Scheierman threw ceremonial first pitches.
Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick, a Lexington native and Boston College product, said he will stay at his offseason home in Boston for the series.
Report prepared for Filmogaz.com.
