Brewers outfielder Nyjer Morgan has been outrighted to Triple-A Nashville, the club announced Wednesday.
Morgan hit a sharp .304/.357/.421 and energized the 2011 club to the NL Central title, but he collapsed in 2012 as his line fell to just .239/.302/.308. The outright is a precursor to a non-tender, as the outfielder made $2.35 million in his first arbitration eligible season last year and would likely receive at least as much in his second arbitration season.
With the decline, Morgan may be limited to a minor-league contract with a spring training invitation at age 32 this offseason. However, he still offers plus speed (12 steals in roughly a half-season worth of plate appearances) and good defense in center field, and as such we should expect to see Tony Plush in some major-league clubhouse next season.
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