When Abner Uribe shows up in a rehab game, the headline should be his arm. And it is. But we have to talk about the uniform first.
The Look Nobody Saw Coming
The Milwaukee Brewers reliever recently made his first competitive appearance since hitting the injured list, pitching for a Brewers High-A affiliate. The catch — or the detail, depending on how you look at it — is that the affiliate happened to be wearing their Lederhosen alternate uniforms that day: golden pants, green plaid jersey, and high socks. Uribe took the mound in the full getup, turquoise glove and all.
Not exactly the image you picture for a serious return to pro ball. Social media, predictably, had a field day. And honestly? Fair.
What Actually Matters: The Arm Is Back
Beyond the outfit, the underlying news is genuinely important for Milwaukee. Uribe was one of the Brewers’ most effective bullpen arms in 2023, posting a 3.65 ERA and striking out 11.4 batters per nine innings — a number that ranked him among the most dominant relievers in the National League that year.
The 2024 season was a different story. Physical issues kept him away from the big leagues for extended stretches, and his absence put real strain on a bullpen that had to grind through a heavy workload without one of its most reliable pieces.
What His Return Means for the Brewers
This rehab outing is just the first step, but it’s the step Milwaukee has been waiting for. A healthy Uribe operating at his 2023 level changes the late-inning picture considerably for the rest of the season. The Brewers need quality arms in the back end of games, and the Dominican righty — Lederhosen or not — is exactly that kind of weapon.
- 2023 ERA: 3.65
- 2023 K/9: 11.4
- Current status: Rehab assignment with Brewers affiliate
Now it’s just a matter of letting the body respond, watching the numbers hold up… and hoping the next uniform is a little more conventional.
