Milwaukee Brewers Sign Veteran Reliever Fernando Abad to Minor League Contract
The Milwaukee Brewers signed veteran reliever Fernando Abad to a minor league contract on Thursday, according to the official MiLB transaction log.
Abad had spent most of 2023 in the Colorado Rockies' system, up until when they released him from their Triple-A roster on Aug. 16. It was the third time this season that the Rockies had let Abad go, since they had previously designated him for assignment on May 20 and July 19.
In 6.1 innings of work at the MLB level this season, Abad had a 4.26 ERA and did not allow a run in five of his six appearances. Abad struck out just two of the 32 batters he faced, though, and he ultimately posted a 2.211 WHIP.
The 37-year-old left-hander had a 1.40 ERA in Triple-A before he was called up in July, but he owned a 17.36 ERA in his second stint with the Albuquerque Isotopes in August.
Abad pitched for the Houston Astros, Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox from 2010 to 2017. Abad spent 2018 in the Philadelphia Phillies' and New York Mets' farm systems before joining the San Francisco Giants in 2019, and he went to the Baltimore Orioles in 2021 after failing to make the Nationals' and New York Yankees' major league rosters in 2020.
Abad has a 3.78 ERA and 1.322 WHIP across 406 career MLB outings.
If he can earn a call-up before Sept. 1, Abad would be eligible to join the Brewers' postseason roster, should they clinch a playoff berth.
Milwaukee is currently 70-57, giving the club a 3.0-game cushion for first place in the NL Central. According to FanGraphs, the Brewers have a 91.4% chance to making the playoffs.
Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media
Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.
You can also subscribe to "The Payoff Pitch" podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
