Brewers Add Versatile Infielder In Trade With Astros

July 13, 2026 ,
The Milwaukee Brewers made a quiet addition before the All-Star break, acquiring infielder Braden Shewmake from the Houston Astros for cash considerations.

The Brewers scooped up Shewmake after the Astros designated him for assignment on Friday, moving before he could clear waivers.

To clear 40-man roster space, Milwaukee designated Nick Jones for assignment.

Why Milwaukee Wanted Him

Infielder David Hamilton is on the injured list with a hamstring strain, leaving the Brewers thin behind their starting infielders, and Andrew Vaughn is limited to first base.

Shewmake has played shortstop, second base, and third base, giving Milwaukee some defensive versatility off the bench.

He fits the Brewers' mold, with good contact skills, positional flexibility, and the ability to impact the game on the basepaths, and he was once considered one of the best defensive shortstops in the minor leagues.

The Player

Shewmake, 28, was drafted 21st overall by the Atlanta Braves in 2019 out of Texas A&M and has never quite lived up to that first-round billing.

He was traded to the White Sox in the Aaron Bummer deal after the 2023 season, landed in the Yankees organization for 2025, and was dealt to Houston in April of this year.

With the Astros, he batted .256/.272/.423 with three home runs and nine RBI across 83 plate appearances, an 89 wRC+ that was acceptable for a backup infielder.

He missed over a month with an adductor strain, was activated July 6, and appeared in just two more games before Houston designated him to make room for the returning Jeremy Peña.

The presence of Nick Allen and Zach Dezenzo made the out-of-options Shewmake expendable in Houston.

He may not stick around long, as Hamilton is not expected to miss significant time, but Shewmake gives the first-place Brewers a useful depth piece for the stretch run.

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