PITTSBURGH -- Stephen Vogt still hasn't watched a replay of his collision with Pirates starter Chad Kuhl on Monday. He's not sure he wants to either. But the people who have watched it have told Vogt that the injury could have been much worse.
Brewers manager Craig Counsell confirmed on Tuesday that Vogt suffered an MCL sprain in his left knee and will miss at least a month. The veteran backstop was placed on the 10-day disabled list, and Jett Bandy was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs to replace him on the active roster.
"Obviously I am frustrated. I feel like we have been on a pretty good roll as a team so you want to be part of that," Vogt said. "With that being said, it could have been a heck of a lot worse. I got fortunate that there was no concussion and that it is just the sprain. That's the best news possible. Hopefully it's right around that month time, but I don't want to put any time of it."
Vogt began the season with the Athletics and made eight starts behind the plate for Milwaukee after being claimed off waivers in June. He's hitting .250/.313/.679 with four home runs in 32 plate appearances with the Brewers.
This is Vogt's first stint on the DL in his Major League career, and he's determined to handle it well.
"I am going to do my part in rehab and be ready to hit the ground running when I do get cleared," Vogt said. "I am the type of guy that even when you're not playing, you can still help. You can still be a good teammate. You can still be around and help the guys. This is such a pivotal stretch in our season. We have got such a good team, so anything I can do on the bench to help."
Bandy has plenty of experience with the Brewers. He started the season in a platoon with Manny Pina behind the plate and has six home runs and 18 RBIs. He hit .348 in his first 13 starts of the season but hit a slump and was hitting .211 when he was sent down in place of Vogt on July 18. Counsell said Bandy is also a popular figure in the clubhouse.
"It was a loud clubhouse welcoming Jett back," Counsell said. "The injury for Stephen [is unfortunate] for sure, but we are happy to have Jett back. … He's outstanding to be around and a great teammate. He's certainly capable of producing at a big level."
Roster shakeup
The Brewers recalled right-hander Michael Blazek and optioned left-hander Tyler Webb to Triple-A. Infielder Yadiel Rivera was also sent down to make room for Tuesday's starter Junior Guerra.
Webb allowed a run in both of his appearances since being acquired in a trade with the Yankees, but Counsell said the Brewers made the move to have as many relievers available as possible this week.
"Sometimes those moves are about really the bullpen as a whole and being able to cover the innings," Counsell said. "Pitch guys in the right situations so we can give guys rest when they should get it. That move allows us to do that moving forward in the next couple days."