Brewers' Demotion When Sal Frelick Returns Is Getting Clear

The Milwaukee Brewers are going to get Sal Frelick back in the very near future.

Jun 5, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick (10) reacts in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Sal Frelick's return to the Milwaukee Brewers is imminent.

Frelick has been on a minor league rehab assignment since Aug. 8. Brewers manager Pat Murphy has already insinuated that Frelick is close, but Milwaukee is trying to make sure he's full-go when he's activated.

The 26-year-old has been hot down in Triple-A. He's played in nine games so far and is slashing .281/.410/.563 with a .973 OPS, two home runs, five RBIs, five walks, three doubles and seven runs scored.

Frelick is close to a return. If he uses the entire 20-day minor league rehab assignment, the latest we could see him in the majors would be in just about one week. We're on Frelick watch and could see him get activated really at any point right now.

Sal Frelick Is Almost Back

Jul 3, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

When the Brewers do activate Frelick, they're going to obviously have to make a change on the big league roster. At this point, there's an obvious candidate to come off the roster for Frelick: Jonathan Ornelas.

Ornelas has played in three games for the Brewers since coming over from the Athletics. He's been a solid depth piece. But, again, he would be the most obvious guy to come off the roster to add Frelick back.

Ornelas' first game with Milwaukee came on Aug. 15 and he's slashing .222/.222/.222 in three games. He has played second base for Milwaukee, but Brice Turang is back, so the Brewers don't need a second baseman. Ornelas can play all over. Throughout his career to this point, he's gotten time at second base, shortstop, third base, left field and center field. He's a good guy to have in the organization, but the Brewers will be all set when Frelick returns. Plus, Cooper Pratt already has returned from the Injured List.

When Frelick returns, the Brewers are going to have positional decisions to make. He has gotten his time this year in right field. Before this season, Frelick was used as a utility man. The Brewers are going to have to find a way to integrate him into the mix with Luis Lara, Jackson Chourio and Garrett Mitchell all also getting time in the outfield. Plus, Jake Bauers has gotten time in the outfield as well.

If the Brewers were to use Frelick in a utility role again, they could put him at third base. Right now, David Hamilton and Joey Ortiz have been getting all the time at the hot corner. Ortiz has been great recently.

Milwaukee will have to determine how to use Frelick, but regardless, his time is coming. The most obvious guy who will be impacted by this move is Ornelas.