This Milwaukee Breweries picked up Hall’s DL option to Triple-A before the start of a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The decision came as something of a surprise, as he had just been activated from the injured list and struck out nine batters in his first game back. Despite the trade, there’s a possibility his final MiLB option could actually be retained.
What is the MiLB (Minor League) option and what are the applicable rules in this situation?
MLB.pl has the following definition regarding minor league options: Players on the 40-man roster are given three minor league “options.” An option allows a player to be sent to a minor league (an “option”) without first surrendering him waiversPlayers transferred to the Minors are removed from a team’s vigorous 26-man roster but remain on the 40-man roster.
Other vital rules regarding options in the lower leagues include:
- If a player who has purchased an option spends at least 20 days in the Minors League in a given season, he forfeits one of his options.
- Once moved to the Minor Leagues, a pitcher must spend at least 15 days in the Minor Leagues.
- If a player serves as the 27th man in a doubleheader or replaces a player who has been placed on the injured list, there is no minimum number of days the optioned player must remain in the Minors.
- Only one Minor League option is exercised each season, regardless of the number of times a player is transferred to and from the Minor League during that season. (Players may only be transferred five times per season; after that time, a player’s assignment to the Minor League requires a complete waiver of the right to be assigned.)
- Players not under the option must be designated for assignment — which removes them from the 40-man roster — and go through the full waiver process before they can become eligible to be sent to a minor league team.
How many MiLB options does DL Hall have left and why is it vital for the Milwaukee Brewers to retain their MiLB option? 
Milwaukee Brewers Pitcher DL Hall throws during a game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Sunday, August 11, 2024. – Max Correa / Milwaukee Journal SentinelWhen the Milwaukee Brewers acquired DL Hall from the Baltimore Orioles, he had one minor league option left. That still stands today, despite him appearing in 13 minor league games this season. He made that many appearances in rehab because he was initially coming off a knee injury where he suffered a contusion after being hit by a ball, which resulted in a longer rehab period.
Keeping Hall’s final DL option is vital because it would allow Milwaukee to move him between the major leagues and minor leagues for another season. As noted in the rules section above, if he loses his final option this year, he will be eligible for waivers in 2025 if the Brewers want to assign him to the minor leagues.
What options do the Milwaukee Brewers have to retain Hall’s last MiLB DL option?
On August 30, 2024, the Brewers are scheduled for a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds, which is expected to be canceled due to rain as of April 11. This works very well in Hall’s favor, as August 30 is 18 days after the Brewers assigned him to the Minor Leagues. If Milwaukee calls him up to play in that game, his option would be spared since he would not have spent 20 days in the Minor Leagues. The only other way to preserve his last option would be to bring him back after another Brewers player was injured and placed on the IL.
Follow me on X @tylerkoerth. Ffollow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great and up-to-date sports content. To read more of our articles and stay up to date with the latest sports events in Wisconsin, Click here!. We cover the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers and Wisconsin High School Sports. Plus we provide the latest NFL, MLB and NBA news that you can follow Heroic deeds on the pitch, Hardwood HeroesAND Heroism on home plate.
Mayfield Sports Marketing
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for your corporate presentation or product promotion. Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your chosen sports speaker. Mayfield Sports Marketing has earned a reputation as the go-to person to book top athletes to speak at events and trade shows. To learn more about the costs and fees for booking Packers players or alumni, call us today. www.MayfieldSports.com.
