Brewers activate Kolten Wong, select Zack Godley

The Brewers announced they’ve activated second baseman Kolten Wong from the injured list and selected right-hander Zack Godley to the MLB roster. Utilityman Pablo Reyes and righty Eric Yardley were optioned to Triple-A Nashville in corresponding roster moves. To create space on the 40-man roster for Godley, Milwaukee designated infielder Jake Hager for assignment.

Wong went on the 10-day IL on June 4 with an oblique strain, his second stint of the season for that issue. As with his first IL trip,  the strain proved to be relatively minor, as Wong returns after just two weeks out. That’s good news for the Brewers, since the offseason signee has hit .280/.343/.441 while playing strong defense in his first season with Milwaukee.

Godley makes his second appearance on the Brewers' roster. The  31-year-old signed a minor-league deal in March and was called up to make a spot start on April 27. Unfortunately for the Brewers, Godley suffered a right index finger contusion during that game and was forced out after just three innings.

Milwaukee designated Godley for assignment as soon as he was healthy enough to return from the injured list, but he accepted an outright assignment to Nashville upon clearing waivers. He’s pitched well in six appearances with the Sounds, working to a 2.40 ERA that ranks third-lowest among 37 Triple-A East pitchers with at least 30 innings this year. Godley has struck out a strong 28.6% of opposing hitters in the minors this season while walking a slightly elevated 10.1%.

Hager spent the 2018-19 seasons in the Milwaukee system but signed with the Mets in 2020 as a minor-league free agent. He got off to a torrid start with their Triple-A team in Syracuse this season, hitting .405/.436/.703 with three homers in 39 plate appearances. With the Mets reeling from a series of injuries last month, the 28-year-old very briefly cracked the roster, collecting one hit in eight at-bats. The Brewers claimed Hager off waivers and optioned him to Triple-A, but he  hasn’t been able to build off his strong start at that level. He’s hit just .211/.288/.394 across 80 trips to the plate with the Sounds. The Brewers will have a week to trade him or place him on outright waivers.

Additionally, Milwaukee announced that veteran infielder Logan Forsythe has been released from his minor league contract. The 34-year-old  signed with the Brewers last month but only picked up 29 plate appearances in Nashville, partially due to a two-plus week absence to represent the United States in Olympic qualifiers. He’s now a free  agent.