Brewers option Saturday hero Choi to Colorado Springs
One day after being a hero for the Milwaukee Brewers, Ji-Man Choi was headed back to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Sunday.
The Brewers optioned the first baseman/outfielder to the minor league affiliate to open a roster spot for right-hander Brandon Woodruff, who started Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Choi belted a go-ahead, pinch-hit grand slam in Saturday's 12-3 rout of the Phillies.
"There's a certain part of the 40-man roster that their job is going to be -- they're kind of partial players on the 25-man roster," Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters on Sunday. "So, at this point, that's where Ji-Man's at, but it shouldn't take away what happened yesterday.
"He helped us win the game, and he's helped us win a couple games here this year. He's part of it."
Choi is batting .233 with two homers and five RBIs in 12 games with the Brewers this season.
His odds of being quickly recalled again will take a hit as well as first baseman Eric Thames will likely be activated from the disabled list on Monday.
Thames has been sidelined since leaving a contest on April 24 due to a torn ligament in his left thumb. Thames went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer Saturday in his first of two rehab games for Colorado Springs.
Thames had seven homers and 13 RBIs in 22 games before his injury. He hit a career-best 31 blasts last season.
Woodruff is 2-0 with a 6.05 ERA in eight appearances (three starts) for Milwaukee this season.
--Field Level Media
