Brewers' Castoff Slugs First Career Grand Slam, Gets Revenge After Release

Luis Rengifo was released by the Milwaukee Brewers on June 23 after an unsuccessful 57-game stint with the Brew Crew. The infielder quickly found a home with the San Diego Padres less than one week later.

Rengifo got revenge on the Brewers Tuesday night, slugging the first grand slam of his career to lead San Diego over Milwaukee, 11-2.

The eighth-year pro discussed hitting a clutch blast vs. his former team following Tuesday's victory.

"It doesn’t matter who we’re playing," Rengifo said, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. "We know what we have to do: win games."

It didn't sound like the 29-year-old Venezuelan had any hard feelings against the Brewers.

"It's part of baseball," Rengifo said, per Cassavell. "Things in Milwaukee didn’t go well at the beginning of the season. But it’s not how you start. It’s about how you finish."

Infielder Enjoying Massive Turnaround After Major Struggles With Brewers

Aug 4, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Luis Rengifo against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The veteran switch-hitter spent the first seven seasons of his MLB career with the Los Angeles Angels before signing with Milwaukee in February.

Rengifo had his best three-year stretch from 2022 to 2024, posting career highs in home runs (17), RBIs (52) and Wins Above Replacement (WAR) (2.5), among other categories, during the first season of the run. He added a career-high 24 stolen bases across just 78 games in 2024, while posting his best marks in batting average (.300) and on-base percentage (.347) during that campaign as well.

Rengifo inked a $3.5 million contract with the Brewers, a deal that included a $1.5 million base salary for this season but struggled from the start in 2026.

He recorded no home runs, 19 RBIs, three steals and a .205/.280/.254 slash line across 209 plate appearances in Milwaukee.

Rengifo was cut from the Brewers active roster when they called up top prospect Cooper Pratt.

The former has registered three home runs, 12 RBIs and a stellar .321/.415/.457 triple slash in 95 plate appearances covering 24 contests with the Padres.

With Pratt on the injured list and Milwaukee losing star second baseman Brice Turang to a sprained thumb on Tuesday night, the Brewers could use a player like Rengifo in their lineup right now.

Rengifo is not only swinging a hot bat but has well-chronicled position versatility. He's appeared in games at every position except for pitcher, catcher and first base in his career, including 409 at second base.

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