The Milwaukee Brewers are sitting somewhat comfortably in first place in the NL Central. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t cause for worry.

Before losing pitcher Brandon Woodruff to shoulder surgery, the Brewers lost another key piece of their team.

After Friday night’s game against the Miami Marlins, manager Pat Murphy implied that an IL stint would be coming for outfielder Sal Frelick after he hurt his shoulder on a throw from right field. Luis Lara would replace him in the game.

Frelick, according to the Brewers, has been placed on the 10-day IL with a right shoulder strain.

In a corresponding move, outfielder Blake Perkins has been recalled from Triple-A Nashville.

More On Milwaukee Brewers’ Sal Frelick

Frelick’s injury was not sudden. His shoulder had been bothering him for around two months, according to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. While a past scan revealed nothing more than inflammation, Frelick continued to have symptoms.

The discomfort was just limited to throwing until the last couple of weeks.

“I started feeling it swinging, not as bad as throwing, but it was creeping in there,” Frelick said.

This could very well explain the 2024 Gold Glover’s decline on both sides of the ball. After slashing .288/.351/.405 with 12 home runs and 19 stolen bases, Frelick has slashed just .236/.301/.330 with four home runs and six stolen bases.

His defense has also taken a hit. After having a career-high +7 Outs Above Average last year, per Baseball Savant, Frelick has just +1 Outs Above Average through 90 games this year.

Part of that can be attributed to a major decrease in arm value and strength.

The Brewers drafted Frelick in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Boston College. He would debut in 2023 as one of the best defensive outfielders in the game.

Perkins will take his place on the 26-man roster, but has struggled to a .157/.250/.258 slash line in 53 games this season.

Who Will Replace Frelick?

This likely won’t be a 10-day minimum stint for Frelick. The Brewers need to nip this in the bud now while the playoffs are far enough away.

While the Brewers could make an outfield addition before the Trade Deadline, it’s more likely that No. 4 prospect Lara will be seeing more time at right field.

Milwaukee signed Lara in 2022, and he has quickly risen through the ranks.

Lara doesn’t possess much power, but his run, field and arm tools are all elite, making him a logical fit to be Frelick’s replacement.

In limited at-bats, Lara has shown that he is up for the challenge with a .294/.429/.353 slash line in six games.

In 78 Triple-A games before he was called up, Lara had a .321/.432/.470 slash line with 24 stolen bases.

While Perkins is the more seasoned pick to replace Frelick, he is a glove-first, weak-hitting player. In his career, Perkins has a .223/.307/.330 slash line with 14 home runs in 295 games.

Jake Bauers also has experience in the outfield if need be.

One thing is for certain: if Frelick gets back to full health and starts hitting again, the Brewers will have a big chance of securing the NL Central once again.

Matthew Singer Matthew Singer is a sports reporter covering MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2025, and has two years of experience covering local professional, collegiate and high school sports, including writing for Cronkite News and Arizona PBS. More about Matthew Singer

MILWAUKEE – Forecast from FOX6 Meteorologist Lisa Michaels

There is a chance for a few showers/storms early Saturday with the passing of a cold front. As a lake breeze kicks in this afternoon, a few more could develop along it.
The cold front will help drag wildfire smoke down to the surface. Plan on increasing smoky skies Saturday afternoon and evening. Wildfire smoke can linger on Sunday due to an easterly wind. Smoke should become less on Monday.
High temperatures reach the upper 80s on Saturday, low 80s on Sunday, and back to the upper 80s on Monday.
There is a higher chance for stronger storms on Monday afternoon and evening.

Today:    Isolated morning rain/storm. Warm and humid. Smoky skies in the afternoon/evening.
High:     89°
Wind:     WNW 5-15

Tonight:  Smoky skies
Low:      64°
Wind:     NE 5-10

Sunday:   Partly sunny and cooler. Smoky skies again.
High:     83°
Wind:     E 5-10

Monday:   Chance for t-storms. Windy, warm and humid.
AM Low:   65°                   High:  88°
Wind:     SW 10-20

Tuesday:  Partly sunny.
AM Low:   68°                   High:  83°
Wind:     NW 10-15

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, cooler and less humid.
AM Low:   60°                   High:  77°
Wind:     N 5-10

Thursday: Mostly sunny.
AM Low:   56°                   High:  83°
Wind:     S  5-10
 

6-day planner

FOX6 Weather Extras

Local perspective:

Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:  

FOX6 Storm Center app

FOX LOCAL Mobile app

FOX Weather app

FOX Weather

Big picture view:

Maps and radar

We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.

School and business closings

When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.

FOX6 Weather Experts in social media

A 12-year-old was shot and injured during the afternoon of July 17, and Milwaukee police are asking the public for information.

The shooting happened around 6:35 p.m. on the 5600 block of North 60th Street, according to the Milwaukee Police Department. The child was injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-fatal injuries.

Police said the circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation.

Milwaukee police continue to seek unknown suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call 414-935-7360 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or the P3 Tips App.

Adrienne Davis is a general assignment and breaking news reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.