Luis Rengifo struggling with new club, could have short stay with Brewers

Luis Rengifo received another chance Monday.

Intending to give the Milwaukee Brewers‘  struggling third baseman an opportunity to build off Sunday’s run-scoring double and sacrifice fly, Brewers manager Pat Murphy started Rengifo against the host Athletics at Las Vegas Ballpark. He batted eighth and struck out swinging twice in the opening six innings.

After trading third baseman Caleb Durbin, shortstop Andruw Monasterio and second baseman Anthony Seigler to the Boston Red Sox on Feb. 9, the Brewers’ infield depth was left exposed. Signed as a free agent a week later, Rengifo was expected to fill the franchise’s third-base void.

Instead, the 29-year-old veteran appears to be the Brewers’ top candidate to be designated for assignment if a roster crunch arises.

When the Brewers signed Rengifo to a one-year, $3.5 million contract, with a mutual option for ’27, the team’s brass remained optimistic the seven-year big leaguer would hold down the position. From 2022-24, after all, Rengifo compiled a combined .754 OPS, with 20-20 potential.

In 52 games this season, he entered Monday batting .202 with zero home runs and three stolen bases. He had a minus-0.4 WAR.

If the Brewers decide to DFA Rengifo, infielders Joey Ortiz and David Hamilton could form a third-base platoon as a short-term fix.