As if playing catcher isn’t tough enough.
During the Milwaukee Brewers’ first spring training game in the Cactus League on Feb. 23, Jacob Nottingham was hit on the right hand while batting and had to leave the game.
The Brewers reported that Nottingham wasn’t seriously injured. He returned to action as Milwaukee’s starting catcher three days later.
He has played in four of Milwaukee’s first eight Cactus League games.
The 6-foot-2 Nottingham, who turns 25 years old on April 3, started more games at catcher for the San Antonio Missions in 2019 than any other player. He played in 83 games as a catcher, first baseman and designated hitter. Nottingham batted .231 with five home runs and 40 RBIs.
Nottingham had limited action with the Brewers last summer. He played in nine games and had two hits in six at-bats including his first major league home run.
According to an MLB.com projection by Adam McCalvy, Nottingham has a possibility of making the Brewers 2020 opening day roster. David Freitas, who was a teammate of Nottingham on the 2019 Missions, is also listed as a possible at catcher.
Brewers’ projected 2020 roster on MLB.com
Todd Rosiak of The Athletic tweeted an interview with Nottingham on Feb. 24:
Brewers catcher Jacob Nottingham also talks about working on his game last year. He spent most of 2019 with the San Antonio Missions. @missionsmilb #missionsmilb #samissions #MissionsBaseball https://t.co/eLHt1qy4QN
— Joe Alexander (@JoeAlexander210) February 24, 2020
