Bush was non-tendered by the Rangers on Friday, becoming a free agent.
Bush inked a minor-league contract with Texas this past July, a week after being released by the Brewers, but he did not wind up making an appearance at the MLB level for the eventual World Series champions. The 37-year-old reliever may have to settle for another minor-league deal this winter if he wants to continue his playing career.
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Rangers' Matt Bush: Not on ALCS roster
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Bush wasn't included on the Rangers' roster for the ALCS against the Astros, which begins Sunday night in Houston, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning Newsreports.
The veteran right-hander didn't take the mound in the first two rounds of the playoffs for Texas, and he's off the roster for championship series. Max Scherzer (shoulder) and Jon Gray (forearm) have been added to the roster, taking the spots of Bush and Brock Burke.
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Rangers' Matt Bush: Selected from Triple-A
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The Rangers selected Bush's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.
Bush last pitched in the majors for the Brewers on June 30, but he was DFA'd and later released after posting a 9.58 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 10.1 innings. He signed a minor-league deal with Texas in July and has bounced back nicely by allowing just three runs in 12.2 innings in Triple-A. Bush will give the Rangers a fresh arm in their bullpen as they attempt to lock down a spot in the playoffs. Jake Latz was optioned to Round Rock and Alex Speas was designated for assignment in corresponding moves.
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Rangers' Matt Bush: Lands back with Rangers
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Bush signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Monday.
It's a homecoming for Bush, who spent four-and-a-half seasons with the Rangers before being traded to the Brewers at last year's deadline. Bush was released by Milwaukee following a 9.58 ERA and a decline in velocity, but he'll hope to get back on track in a familiar organization. The 37-year-old has been assigned to Double-A Frisco for now.
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Matt Bush: Released by Brewers
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Bush was released Monday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Bush passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment and has now been given his unconditional release. The 37-year-old holds a 9.58 ERA in 2023, but given his past success and fact that he can now be had at the prorated minimum, he shouldn't have trouble finding a new home shortly.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Designated for assignment
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Bush was designated for assignment by the Brewers on Saturday.
Bush was acquired from the Rangers at last year's trade deadline but stumbled to a 4.30 ERA down the stretch. His numbers fell off a cliff this season, with his ERA spiking to 9.58 as his strikeout rate plunged to 20.8 percent and his walk rate jumped to 12.5 percent. He allowed five home runs in 10.1 innings of work. His downturn in performance is paired with a big drop in velocity, with his fastball sitting at 94.8 mph after averaging 97.4 mph last season. That may make him an unappealing option on waivers despite his past success.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Reinstated from IL
Rotowire
Bush (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day injured list Friday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
The 37-year-old had been shelved for nearly two months with right shoulder tendinitis but will now return to the Brewers' bullpen, forcing Trevor Megill back to Triple-A Nashville. Bush made six appearances during his rehab assignment, throwing five innings while giving up one unearned run and striking out six batters.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Lands on IL with shoulder injury
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The Brewers placed Bush on the 15-day injured list Monday with right rotator cuff tendinitis.
Bush was roughed up for four runs and showed diminished velocity while recording just one out in Sunday's loss to the Red Sox, so it checks out that he might not have been 100 percent. The plan is for Bush to be shut down for 2-to-4 weeks before he's re-evaluated, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Picks up first save
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Bush earned a save against the Mariners on Wednesday, retiring both batters he faced in the ninth inning.
Milwaukee entered the ninth with Peter Strzelecki on the mound and a three-run lead. However, Strzelecki was pulled after allowing a run to score, and Bush was summoned with the bases loaded and one out. The right-hander induced a foul out and a pop out to extinguish the threat and pick up his first save of the campaign. Devin Williams was unavailable after working two of the team's previous three games, so there's no reason to expect Bush to see regular save opportunities moving forward, though he would likely be a popular fantasy pick-up if Williams were to miss time.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Tosses clean inning
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Bush struck out three batters over a scoreless inning of relief in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-inning victory over the Mariners.
Bush had allowed at least one runner to reach base in five straight appearances, but he got back on track Tuesday, punching out all three batters he faced. His control issues have opened the door for other relievers to enter the setup mix, but Bush was the last pitcher to enter Tuesday's game before closer Devin Williams, so it appears he remains the preferred option in that spot.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Fires scoreless eighth frame
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Bush tossed a scoreless eighth inning during Wednesday's 7-6 victory over the Mets.
Bush was not credited with a hold because Wednesday's contest was tied when he entered the game, but he was the last reliever to enter in front of closer Devin Williams, who was the pitcher of record when the Brewers walked off with the win in the bottom of the ninth. Bush had a rough start to the exhibition season, but he closed out the spring with two scoreless appearances and has matched that since the real games began. Based on early bullpen usage, consider Bush the setup man in Milwaukee.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Cleared for spring debut
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Bush is scheduled to make his spring debut Wednesday in the Brewers' exhibition game against the Great Britain team, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Bush ended the past season on the injured list with a non-COVID-19-related illness, but the ailment wasn't anything that affected his preparation heading into spring training. Instead, the Brewers seem to have been using their Cactus League games to date to get an extended look at some of the relievers who are less locked into the Opening Day roster than Bush, who projects to serve as one of the top setup men for closer Devin Williams. After coming over from the Rangers in an Aug. 1 trade last season, Bush turned in a 4.30 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 29:8 K:BB in 23 innings while gathering two saves and nine holds. He became arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, ultimately striking an agreement with the Brewers on a one-year, $1.85 million contract in November, per Robert Murray of FanSided.com.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Placed on injured list
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Bush was placed on the injured list Tuesday with a non-COVID illness, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
The trip to the injured list will end Bush's season, as there are only two games remaining on the Brewers' schedule. After being traded at the deadline, Bush recorded a 4.30 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 23 innings. Jason Alexander was promoted from Triple-A Nashville to fill Bush's roster spot.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Likely available Sunday
Rotowire
Bush (groin) is expected to be available out of the bullpen Sunday against the Yankees, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
The veteran right-hander hasn't seen the mound since he departed Tuesday's matchup against the Cardinals with a groin strain, though it appears he'll be available Sunday for manager Craig Counsell. Bush has appeared in 18 games since being acquired by the Brewers and has a 4.86 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB with two saves and six holds.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Unlikely to require IL stint
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Bush (groin) visited with team doctors Wednesday and isn't expected to require a trip to the injured list, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.
Bush exited Tuesday's game against the Cardinals due to right groin discomfort, but the injury doesn't appear to be a significant concern. He won't be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's series finale in St. Louis since he traveled to Milwaukee to visit with the team's medical staff, but he'll likely have a chance to return when the Brewers return home to face the Yankees for a three-game series that begins Friday.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Departs with groin issue
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Bush was removed from Tuesday's game against the Cardinals with right groin discomfort, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander served as an opener Tuesday and retired one of the three batters he faced before he exited with the injury. Bush was charged with two earned runs but won't factor in the decision since Milwaukee entered the frame with a 2-0 lead. He'll likely be unavailable for Wednesday's series finale and should be considered day-to-day.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: To serve as opener
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Bush will open Tuesday's game against the Cardinals, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Bush's longest outing of the season lasted just 1.1 frames Thursday against the Giants, so he figures to work the first inning before turning the ball over to a long reliever. The right-hander owns a 2.70 ERA and 0.70 WHIP with 15 strikeouts over his last 10 outings (10 innings).
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Records 15th hold
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Bush struck out three batters in a clean eighth inning and picked up his 15th hold of the season in Saturday's victory over the Reds.
Bush has not recorded a save since recording two over a five-day span in mid-August, but he does have six holds over that span and has posted a 3.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB over 12 innings. He will continue to occupy a spot in the late-inning mix ahead of closer Devin Williams.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Collects third save
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Bush allowed an unearned run on one hit and struck out two to earn the save in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Cardinals.
Bush allowed initial runner Nolan Gorman to score on a sacrifice fly, but he was able to stave off the Cardinals after that. This was Bush's second straight save, which suggests he's firmly in the high-leverage mix for the Brewers. For the season, Bush has a 3.29 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 51:12 K:BB through 41 innings between Milwaukee and Texas, and he's added three saves and nine holds.
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Brewers' Matt Bush: Earns second save
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Bush picked up the save, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning in a 5-3 win Tuesday over Tampa Bay.
Bush faced the heart of Tampa Bay's lineup and retired them with ease, striking out Brandon Lowe and David Peralta in the process. It was his second save of the season and first since joining the Brewers. Bush joins Devin Williams as the two relievers that have received save chances since Milwaukee traded Josh Hader. Williams is likely to get the bulk of the save chances but Bush may be in the mix on occasion down the stretch.
