The Milwaukee Brewers just pulled a move straight out of left field, recalling left-hander Colton Gordon from Class AAA Nashville on Friday, Sept. 18. This isn’t some quiet roster shuffle, this is a clear signal. Gordon, the “second and more intriguing piece” from that July 15 trade with the Houston Astros that also brought in Lance McCullers Jr., is now in the big-league bullpen. And the corresponding move? Right-hander Garrett Stallings, who honestly just threw a *strong* three innings and punched out a career-high six guys against the Pirates on Sept. 17, got optioned down to Nashville. You can’t make this stuff up!
A Consummate Pitcher Ready for the Fire
Gordon, at 27 years old, is stepping onto a team with serious momentum, one that’s rocketing toward a first-round postseason bye and eyeing the best record in baseball for a second straight year. He was 1-5 with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 10 starts for the Sounds, piling up 48 strikeouts in 54 innings. He made four total appearances for the Astros before the trade, with 14 starts last season and one this year with Houston. Brewers manager Pat Murphy didn’t mince words about him, calling him “a consummate pitcher.” Murphy wants to see Gordon lean into that “sweeper to be a big pitch for him” and expects him to locate his heater. Gordon, for his part, is absolutely buzzing. “Super excited,” he said, adding, “Obviously, the Brewers are a winning organization and I love to win. That’s what I’ve done my whole life, and to be able to help an organization do that, get as far as we can go, whatever role that is for me I’m just excited to be a part of that.” He appreciated his time in Houston but is clearly pumped for new opportunities. This dude sounds ready to compete.
Bullpen Shuffle for the Playoff Run
Look, the Brewers needed a fresh arm, especially after Stallings had to chew up three innings in that 7-4 loss to the Pirates. But optioning a guy who just delivered a career-high six strikeouts? That tells you how serious this organization is about every single arm in that bullpen right now. Murphy even called Stallings “fantastic,” putting him in the same breath as key guys like Bryse Wilson and Brent Suter, saying, “The kid has been amazing, he really has.” That’s high praise. So, if a “fantastic” arm gets sent down for “additional depth,” you know the stakes are sky-high. And there are still more moving parts coming, with Wilson and Grant Anderson both nearing returns from the injured list. It’s a full-on bullpen arms race as Milwaukee charges toward October.
Gordon knows what’s up, saying, “It’s awesome. It’s exciting to be a part of that, and I want to help in any way I can. I’m happy to be here and I want to keep it going.” His goal is simple: “Just staying ready, competing, trying to win ballgames.” The Brewers are kicking off a series against the Baltimore Orioles next. Every game from here on out is about cementing that best record in baseball and that postseason bye. Get ready, because this bullpen just got a new look, and it means business.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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