The Brewers have preached patience with Keston Hiura’s early-season slump, but when is it time to worry about a hitter who hasn’t hit since his fabulous rookie showing in 2019?

Hiura “is going to keep getting opportunities,” Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday, though Hiura was not in the lineup against Dinelson Lamet’s plus slider in Wednesday’s series finale at the Padres. Hiura began the day with the third-worst batting average (.118) among MLB’s qualifying hitters, the fifth-worst strikeout rate (36.7 percent) and the ninth-lowest wRC+ (41) after striking out at a National League-worst 34.6 percent clip last year.

“I think we recognize that young players have challenges at times,” Stearns said. “Because last year was an abbreviated season, Keston still has yet to play a complete 162 [games] at the Major League level. There are going to be continued learning moments, continued ups and downs.

“I think we and he both believe he is a better offensive player than what we have seen so far this year, and he’s going to keep getting opportunities to show that.”

Hiura showed his hitting ability as he charged through Milwaukee’s Minor League system to the tune of a .928 OPS from 2017, when he was the Brewers’ first-round Draft pick, to 2019, when he made his Major League debut and hit 19 home runs in 84 games. Only Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder have hit more homers as a Brewers rookie.

Asked whether Hiura might benefit from some low-pressure at-bats at the Brewers’ alternate training site, Stearns said, “Look, I think we’re always assessing all potential options to try to get a player going. But right now, he’s a part of our Major League team and we think that’s in his and our best interests. He’s going to continue to get chances.”

Strange-Gordon deal done
The Brewers finalized a Minor League deal with former All-Star second baseman Dee Strange-Gordon on Wednesday and assigned him to the alternate training site. The move replenished some organizational depth after Milwaukee traded newly versatile infielder Orlando Arcia to the Braves earlier this month, and it gives the Brewers another potential option should they continue to struggle getting production from the right side of the infield.

“I think we’ve been on the lookout for additional position player depth in general,” Stearns said. “We had some injuries in Spring Training to guys like [Mark] Mathias and [Tim] Lopes, guys we were counting on to serve as that next layer. And then with the trade of Orlando, that need became a little but more acute. Dee is someone we talked about in the offseason and watched in Spring Training.”

Starting second baseman Kolten Wong is due back this weekend in Chicago from the injured list, but the players who have filled in behind him -- Hiura, Daniel Robertson, Jace Peterson -- have done little so far offensively. Brewers second basemen entered Wednesday batting .150, tied for second-worst in the Majors at the position, and were third from the bottom with a .498 OPS.

Perhaps Strange-Gordon, 32, could help. He was a non-roster invitee of the Reds and slashed .281/.361/.313 in 32 at-bats during Spring Training but was released at the end of camp. He was an All-Star in 2014 with the Dodgers and in ’15 with the Marlins and has led the Major Leagues in stolen bases three times, including as recently as 2017 with Miami. If he makes it back to the Majors, Strange-Gordon would be the active leader with 333 career steals.

He slashed .275/.304/.359 with the Mariners in 2019 before appearing in 33 games for Seattle last year and slipping to a .482 OPS. He played second base, left field and shortstop for Seattle.

“I think it’s a player whose skill set still works. His versatility is his calling card at this point,” Stearns said.

Per club policy, Stearns declined to say whether Gordon’s contract included an “out” date if he’s not in the Majors. Stearns did say that, “with any veteran player we bring in on a Minor League deal, we are in constant conversation to ensure this is where he wants to be and to make sure that the arrangement is beneficial for both sides.”

Many fans may remember him as Dee Gordon, but Strange-Gordon informed the Mariners last September that he preferred to go by his full name to honor his mother, Devona Strange, who was shot and killed by her boyfriend when Dee was seven years old.

Last call
• The Brewers were without shortstop Luis Urías for a second straight game during Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Padres as he nurses discomfort at the top of his right calf, though manager Craig Counsell said after the game that Urías was available to pinch-hit if needed. Urías was hurt circling the bases on a home run in Monday’s series opener against the Padres. Counsell said it was to be determined whether Urías would be back for Friday’s series opener against the Cubs in Chicago.

• Kolten Wong, who has been on the injured list with a left oblique strain since April 10, will be activated and in the lineup Friday, Counsell said.