Brewer

Hicklen

The 29-year-old outfielder was recalled prior to the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader and made the most of his opportunity. He reached on an infield single in the third inning that loaded the bases, then came around to score on a three-run double by Gleyber Torres. Hicklen singled to center in his next at-bat and swiped second base before being stranded there. He’s probably heading back to Triple-A Toledo after the game so the team can activate John Brebbia from the injured list on Friday, but for at least one day Hicklen got to feel like a true big leaguer.

The 29-year-old outfielder will add a fresh body for the nightcap of Thursday’s doubleheader against the Rockies. Hicklen was up with the big league club for two games in early April but did not make an appearance.

Hicklen’s stay with the big league club lasted just two games — neither of which he appeared in. He’ll continue to bide his time at the Triple-A level until he’s needed once more. The expectation is that Gleyber Torres will be joining the team in Minneapolis and will be activated from the injured list prior to Friday’s game.

The Tigers acquired Hicklen from the Brewers in March, and he’s gone 5-for-21 with four runs scored and two steals in five games in Triple-A. He should be mainly a bench option in Detroit with Manuel Margot landing on the IL.

The Tigers are facing a slew of injuries in their outfield and the Brewers had designated Hicklen for assignment on Thursday, so this move makes a ton of sense. He was optioned to Triple-A Toledo for the time being, but don’t be surprised to see him get an opportunity in Motown at some point early in the season.

The 29-year-old Hicklen is a fine Triple-A outfielder, but he’s never convinced a major league team to give him a chance. He was 4-for-21 this spring.

Hicklen gets the option rather than being reassigned because he’s on the 40-man roster. Despite having a perfect name for the roster, Brewer won’t be a Brewer to open the campaign. Misiorowski is the top pitching prospect in the system and likely will help the Brew Crew before the end of 2025.

Hicklen went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts during his week with the Brewers. On the plus side, he did put a ball in play this time; he was 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in his previous major league action with the Royals in 2022.

Hicklen, 28, will get a chance to make his season debut with rosters expanding. It would have been a crying shame if Brewer didn’t get a chance to play for the Brewers for reasons we can’t quite put a finger on. Hicklen will be a bench option while with the club.

Hicklen has been officially added to Milwaukee’s 40-man roster, but will remain stationed at Triple-A Nashville as emergency outfield depth. The 28-year-old outfielder got into six games for the Royals back in 2022 and is holds a sky-high .955 OPS with 19 homers and 26 steals across 313 plate appearances this season at the Triple-A level.