Ortiz had been uncertain because of abdominal, groin and right knee problems. MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports that he injured the knee against the foul-ground wall during Milwaukee's final road series in Philadelphia. His inclusion gives the Brewers an infield option who hit .341 with an .884 OPS from August 2 through the end of the regular season, although a roster spot does not establish that every health concern has disappeared.
Milwaukee is also retaining two pitchers whose late-season results raised questions. Harrison finished 11–5 with a 4.20 ERA, the Associated Press reports, after a difficult stretch from August 31 through September 17. He struck out four in two relief innings on September 26. May posted a 5.65 ERA in 10 starts after arriving from St. Louis at the trade deadline.
Their roles beyond the opener remain partly unsettled. The official announcement identifies Jacob Misiorowski for Game 1 and Logan Henderson for Game 2. McCalvy reports that Harrison is likely to work in relief, while May could start as early as Game 3; Milwaukee has not announced those later assignments.
The extra pitching spot leaves Milwaukee with two catchers, William Contreras and Gary Sánchez. Bo Naylor, utility player Brandon Lockridge and pitcher Grant Anderson were omitted, AP reports. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Curt Hogg notes that the two-catcher setup reduces the insurance behind Contreras when the Brewers consider using Sánchez elsewhere.
The roster puts Harrison's potential relief contribution and Ortiz's availability into the immediate postseason plan. Saturday's opener is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Eastern against Robbie Ray and the Padres.
