Brewers DFA Jihwan Bae and Acquire Jonathan Ornelas from Athletics Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy made a significant roster adjustment on August 15, 2026, by designating infielder Jihwan Bae for assignment and acquiring Jonathan Ornelas from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for cash. The move came as part of the team’s ongoing efforts to reshape its middle infield depth, with Ornelas joining the roster while Bae was sent down to the minors. Ornelas, a 26-year-old infielder with 38 major league appearances under his belt, had previously played for the Athletics but was recently designated for assignment. His arrival with the Brewers was met with enthusiasm from Murphy, who had long followed Ornelas’ career. The manager recalled Ornelas’ early baseball days, noting that the player had been part of a standout 10U Sandlot Arizona team alongside his son, Kai, who was on a dominant 9U team that played up a grade. Ornelas’ connection to the game extended beyond his playing days, as he had competed on the same Stealth team as future Cardinals prospects Matthew Liberatore and Nolan Gorman. Despite being the team’s best player, Ornelas remained largely unknown under his alias “Johnny Rockets” until his MLB debut. Murphy quickly integrated Ornelas into the lineup, batting him ninth and starting him at second base for the Aug. 15 game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The move marked a significant step for Ornelas, who said it was the first time his parents had ever seen him play in the majors. Despite his experience, Ornelas struggled in his debut, batting .200 with a .488 OPS, no home runs, and three runs batted in. However, his potential and familiarity with the Brewers’ system positioned him as a key piece for the future. Meanwhile, Bae’s brief tenure with the Brewers ended without much impact.#milwaukee_brewers #pat_murphy #oakland_athletics #jihwan_bae #jonathan_ornelas
