Brewers Promote Andrew Vaughn After Rhys Hoskins Injury \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Milwaukee Brewers have promoted Andrew Vaughn after first baseman Rhys Hoskins was placed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained thumb. Vaughn, acquired in a June trade, has been hot in Triple-A. Manager Pat Murphy hopes the former White Sox slugger can regain his form in Milwaukee.
Quick Looks
- Rhys Hoskins placed on 10-day IL with left thumb sprain.
- Injury occurred during Saturday’s 4–2 loss to the Marlins.
- Brewers promote Andrew Vaughn, acquired from White Sox in June.
- Vaughn has hit .259 with three HRs in Triple-A since trade.
- Vaughn had struggled in MLB this season, batting .189 for Chicago.
- Pat Murphy says “new environment” could reignite Vaughn’s bat.
- Vaughn joins lefty Jake Bauers in 1B rotation for Brewers.
- Hoskins had 12 HRs and 42 RBIs before injury.
- Shortstop Joey Ortiz benched again after recent slump.
- Murphy demands better “swing decisions” from Ortiz.
Deep Look
The Milwaukee Brewers are navigating the delicate balance between postseason aspirations and roster setbacks as veteran slugger Rhys Hoskins heads to the injured list. In response, the team has promoted former Chicago White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn — a once-promising power bat looking to reboot his MLB career in new surroundings.
A Shift Prompted by Injury
Hoskins’ injury, a sprained left thumb suffered during Saturday’s loss to the Miami Marlins, is a significant blow to the Brewers’ lineup. The 32-year-old has been a key run producer, tallying 12 home runs and 42 RBIs in 82 games while rebounding from the ACL tear that sidelined him for the entire 2023 season. Though the injury was not initially believed to be severe, Brewers manager Pat Murphy clarified the reality: “It can be weeks, not days.”
As the Brewers prepare to be without Hoskins for an extended period, they are hoping Andrew Vaughn — once the centerpiece of the White Sox’s youth movement — can recapture the swing that once made him one of baseball’s most dangerous young hitters.
A New Chapter for Vaughn
Vaughn, 27, was acquired in a quiet but calculated June 13 trade that sent right-hander Aaron Civale to the South Side. For the Brewers, the move was low-risk, high-reward. Vaughn had a résumé full of potential — 72 home runs from 2021 to 2024 — but was clearly pressing during his last stint with the White Sox. In 48 games this season, he hit just .189 with a paltry .218 on-base percentage, a career-low .699 OPS, and just five home runs.
His offensive struggles led to a demotion to Triple-A Charlotte, where he started to find his rhythm, batting .211 with a .328 OBP. After being traded to Milwaukee and joining Triple-A Nashville, Vaughn continued to look more composed at the plate, slashing .259/.338 with three home runs and 16 RBIs in just 16 games. For a player desperate for a clean slate, the Brewers’ system has offered just that.
“It’s about simplifying,” Vaughn said Monday. “Not reinventing my swing, but dialing in the smaller details. In-season swing revamps are tough. You focus on the mental side and build on what’s working.”
Murphy’s Message: Opportunity Awaits
Brewers manager Pat Murphy knows firsthand what Vaughn is capable of. As a collegiate star and former top-3 overall draft pick, Vaughn was once one of the most feared hitters in the nation. Murphy made it clear that the door is open — but Vaughn needs to walk through it.
“A few years ago, this guy was a force,” Murphy said. “He hit the ball hard. He gave pitchers headaches. He’s had tough times, but players respond to that. This is a chance for him to.”
Vaughn is expected to share first base duties with Jake Bauers, who has posted a modest .214/.331/.370 line with five homers in 54 games. A righty-lefty platoon is the likely path forward, but if Vaughn heats up, he could claim the lion’s share of playing time during Hoskins’ IL stint — and perhaps beyond.
Brewers’ Depth Tested Across the Diamond
The Brewers’ lineup has been relatively stable this season, but cracks have started to show in recent weeks. Joey Ortiz, the team’s young shortstop, was held out of the lineup for the second straight game after going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts on Saturday. Though Ortiz showed promise in June with a .748 OPS, his overall line has dipped to .209 with a .269 OBP across 87 games.
Murphy didn’t hold back in his expectations for the 25-year-old: “We need better swing decisions. We’ve given him playing time, and he’s got to show us more fight.”
The comments signal a shift in tone for a team that has largely weathered its offensive inconsistencies thanks to strong pitching and timely hitting. But as the calendar flips to the season’s second half, urgency is mounting — especially in a tight NL Central.
A Fork in the Road for Vaughn
For Andrew Vaughn, this call-up represents more than just a roster move — it’s a crossroads in a once-bright career. A former Golden Spikes winner and top draft pick, Vaughn was seen as a future All-Star in Chicago. Now, he’s tasked with not only stepping into the shoes of a veteran like Hoskins but proving that his downturn was temporary — and that he still belongs as an everyday contributor in a playoff-bound lineup.
The Brewers, ever resourceful in maximizing undervalued talent, are betting that Vaughn can still deliver impact at the big-league level. For Vaughn, it’s a chance to prove that the bat that launched 72 home runs in three seasons hasn’t gone silent — just needed a new environment to roar again.
What’s Next
As Milwaukee continues its series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Vaughn will likely get immediate opportunities to prove himself. With the All-Star break nearing and the trade deadline looming, his performance could shape both his role and the Brewers’ deadline priorities.
