After solid debut, Cravy sent to minors to make room for OF Peterson

By foxsports
Published

Despite limiting the St. Louis Cardinals to just one run over seven innings in his major-league debut, Tyler Cravy became a victim of the business side of baseball Wednesday.

In need of a fourth outfielder, the Milwaukee Brewers called up Shane Peterson from Triple-A Colorado Springs and optioned Cravy to the Sky Sox.

The Brewers have been playing with just three outfielders since Khris Davis was placed on the disabled list Sunday with a torn meniscus in his right knee. Milwaukee's emergency backup outfielder was Elian Herrera, but he was designated for assignment Tuesday to clear room for waiver claim Hernan Perez.

Cravy was called up Sunday night to make an emergency start Tuesday. Milwaukee had to use Matt Garza in Sunday's 17-inning win, forcing manager Craig Counsell to bump Mike Fiers up a day to start Monday in St. Louis.

The rookie right-hander took advantage of his opportunity by allowing just four hits and one run over seven strong innings in Milwaukee's 1-0 loss at Busch Stadium. 

But the decision to call up Peterson was already made, meaning somebody had to go down. The Brewers opted to keep eight relievers for the time being because Will Smith is expected to begin his suspension after Major League Baseball rules on his appeal in the coming days.

Because of Thursday's off day, the Brewers don't need a fifth starter until Tuesday in Pittsburgh. Cravy won't be able to make that start, as a player optioned to the minor leagues must stay down for at least 10 days unless he replaces a player placed on the disabled list.

Peterson is hitting .320 with seven home runs and 27 RBI in 47 games with Colorado Springs this season.

The 27-year-old made his major-league debut with Oakland in 2013, appearing in just two games in April. The Chicago Cubs claimed Peterson off waivers from the Athletics in December. Milwaukee then claimed him off waivers four days later.

A second-round pick out of Long Beach State University in 2008, Peterson was traded from St. Louis to Oakland as one of the three prospects the Cardinals packaged to acquire Matt Holliday in July of 2009. 

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