Brewers option prospect Brett Phillips to Triple-A

June 8, 2017

Brett Phillips and his infectious laugh are headed back to the minors.

The Milwaukee Brewers optioned the rookie outfielder to Triple-A on Thursday morning, recalling starting pitcher Paolo Espino in his place.

Phillips made his major-league debut Monday, going 1-for-3 in a loss to the San Francisco Giants.

A sixth-round pick in 2012, Phillips joined the Brewers via the trade that sent star Carlos Gomez and pitcher Mike Fiers to the Houston Astros in 2015, and is Milwaukee's 10th-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline.

Phillips' stock suffered following a poor showing in Double-A last season, but the 23-year-old has bounced back in his first Triple-A season, and is hitting .297/.369/.589 with 11 home runs in 49 games for the Sky Sox this year.

Espino made his major-league debut earlier this year after a decade in the minors.

The 30-year-old was named the Brewers' starter for Thursday's game against the Giants after Matt Garza was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a chest injury.