Middlebrooks was placed on the 15-day disabled list with Triple-A Colorado Springs due to an oblique strain, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Middlebrooks was removed from Monday's game against Nashville in the third inning, and it seems that this oblique injury was the cause of that. He hadn't been swinging the bat very well with the Sky Sox, holding a .154 batting average when he left the game, and this development will only hinder his chances of getting called up to the big leagues any time soon.

Middlebrooks has accepted his assignment to Triple-A Colorado Springs, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt reports.

EDGE Analysis

He looked like a long shot to make the big league roster after the team acquired Aaron Hill from Arizona in the Jean Segura trade. Middlebrooks didn't do anything this spring to improve his chances, getting on base at just a .195 clip in 41 at-bats. If he can get hot at Triple-A, it's possible that the Brewers will give him a chance against big league pitching, but it's also possible that he spends the entire season in the Pacific Coast League.

Middlebrooks was told by the Brewers on Sunday that he won't make the team's Opening Day roster, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

As a non-roster invitee to spring training, Middlebrooks will have to decide if he wants to remain with the organization and report to Triple-A Colorado Springs or pursue an opportunity with a different club. After Middlebrooks batted a paltry .212/.241/.361 in 270 plate appearances with the Padres last season, it's difficult to imagine that many teams are clamoring for his services.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said if Middlebrooks can show an aptitude for first base that would help his chances of making the club out of camp, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt reports.

EDGE Analysis

He is primarily competing for starts at third base with Aaron Hill and Garin Cecchini, with Hill being the clear favorite to start at the hot corner. However, the Brewers don't have a clear backup at first base, so if Middlebrooks shows that he is capable of backing up both corner infield spots, that could lead to him making the 25-man roster. He has just two hits (both singles) in 14 at-bats while striking out three times and walking zero times so far this spring, so he isn't really helping his cause with the bat.

Manager Craig Counsell said that Middlebrooks has a chance to make the Brewers roster even though Aaron Hill will get the first crack at the starting third base job, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Naturally, the announcement that Hill will get the first chance at third base hurts Middlebrooks' value, but it is reassuring to hear that his place in the organization isn't entirely in jeopardy even if he doesn't have the starting job. The 27-year-old has had some tough times the last couple of seasons, but he does have some power and has a career .736 OPS against left-handed pitching, so he could find a spot as a power bat off the bench if he has a good spring.

Middlebrooks signed a minor league contract with the Brewers on Tuesday, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Middlebrooks was hoping to get back to his 2012 breakout season when he signed with the Padres last winter, but he was unable to do so and spent another season middling between Triple-A and the majors. However, Middlebrooks does have a fair amount of major league experience and could compete for the Brewers starting third base job due to the relative lack of experience among the other options Milwaukee has.

The Padres declined to tender Middlebrooks a contract for 2016.

EDGE Analysis

Middlebrooks' fresh start in San Diego quickly turned sour, as he struggled to a .212/.241/.361 line before being optioned down in July. The Padres decided to cut their losses and move on, and Middlebrooks will likely now look to latch on elsewhere on a minors deal with a spring training invite.

San Diego Padres third baseman Will Middlebrooks was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday. Middlebrooks is batting just .212 this season, going 2-for-20 in nine games this month, and he was sent down as the team recalled Abraham Almonte.

Middlebrooks (ankle) is back in the lineup Tuesday against Pittsburgh. Middlebrooks has not played in any of the last four games due to an ankle injury, but he's back in the lineup at his usual third base spot Tuesday. He'll bat sixth against Pirates' starter Francisco Liriano.

Middlebrooks (ankle) is out of the lineup Monday against the Pirates. Middlebrooks continues to suffer from an ankle issue, and Yangervis Solarte will start at third base once again as a result of his absence. There's no idication that the issue is major, but he's been sidelined since last Thursday, so it's possible the issue isn't necessarily minor.