Milwaukee Brewers

Brewers option Blazek, release Chamberlain

Published Mar. 22, 2017 1:25 p.m. ET

The Milwaukee Brewers trimmed their roster Wednesday and in doing so lessened some of their bullpen competition.

Six players were either optioned or reassigned to minor-league camp, including Michael Blazek and David Goforth, both of whom spent time with the Milwaukee in 2016. Veteran relievers Joba Chamberlain and Ryan Webb, who were non-roster invitees, were released.

Also being sent down were infielder Yadiel Rivera and outfielder Michael Reed, catcher Dustin Houle and left-handed starter Andy Oliver.

The moves leave 34 players in Milwaukee's major-league camp.

Blazek appeared in 41 games for the Brewers in 2016, posting a 5.66 ERA and 1.911 WHIP, just one year after finishing with a 2.43 ERA and 1.042 WHIP in 45 games. In seven spring training games this year, Blazek allowed seven runs (five earned) in eight innings.

Goforth had nearly an 11 ERA with Milwaukee last season in 10 appearances. He allowed two runs in six innings this spring training, but is no longer on the 40-man roster, making his path back to the majors a little tougher.

Chamberlain, a 10-year veteran who pitched last season for Cleveland, got in eight innings of work for the Brewers this spring, allowing three runs on 10 hits with five walks and just two strikeouts. Eight-year veteran Webb pitched in just three innings.

Rivera and Reed both had decent springs. Rivera batted .273 with a .455 slugging percentage, but there's a lot of competition for the utility roles on the Brewers, while Reed's slash line of .280/.471/.480 wasn't good enough to crack a loaded Milwaukee outfield. With the Brewers sending prospects Lewis Brinson, Ryan Cordell and Keon Broxton to Triple-A, the 24-year-old Reed is expected to be sent to Double-A Biloxi.

The 23-year-old Houle was not expected to make the big-league club, but went 6 for 12 with a home run in his limited opportunity. Oliver pitched in 7 1/3 innings and allowed three runs. He's expected to provide some veteran pitching depth.