Jeremy Jeffress
The Milwaukee Brewers relief corp has been solid from the left side with Will Smith, Zach Duke and now Tom Gorzelanny. From the right side,
closer Francisco Rodriguez has been rock solid, but injuries to Jim Henderson and Tyler Thornburg and inconsistency from Brandon Kintzler and Rob Wooten has left a once rock solid bullpen a bit short.
Enter newly recalled Jeremy Jeffress who made Brewers 2014 debut on Wednesday. He pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to close out the Cincinnati Reds
5-1 at Miller Park. Jeffress opened some eyes with fast balls clocked at 97, 98, 99 and eventually 100 miles per hour.
It’s the second tour with the Brewers for Jeffress, who was the teams first-round draft pick in 2006. He’s been held back by control issues on the mound and drug-related suspensions. He pitched in 10 games for the Brewers in 2010, but was traded to Kansas City in the Zach Greinke deal.
AUDIO: Jeremy Jeffress on being back with the Brewers :08
AUDIO: Ron Roenicke on Jeremy Jeffress :18
AUDIO: Mark Reynolds on Jeremy Jeffress :17
It’s one game, but you can bet Jeffress will get more opportunities to prove he can move into a right-handed setup role with the Brewers.
Jeffress had his issues in his first stint with the Brewers, but one more strike and he’s out of baseball. He’s used the time to straighten himself out and learn how to pitch. He spent time in Kansas City and Toronto. When the Blue Jays released Jeffress, the Brewers signed him immediately. Now, they may be the team that benefits as they try to fend off the Cardinals, Pirates and Reds in the NL Central Division title race.