Webb Kitchens

DENVER -- Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell, activated Monday from the injured list, entered Milwaukee's 8-7 series-opening loss to the Colorado Rockies as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and went 1 for 2 with a single in his season debut.

Mitchell, who missed three months with a fractured left index finger, also walked and struck out.

The NL Central-leading Brewers also optioned infielder Tyler Black to Triple-A Nashville and designated infielder Owen Miller for assignment Monday before opening their four-game series at Colorado.

Mitchell has shown promise since the Brewers selected him out of UCLA with the 20th overall pick in the 2020 draft, but injuries frequently have kept the 25-year-old off the field.

After getting called up late in the 2022 season, Mitchell opened 2023 as the Brewers' starting center fielder but tore a labrum in his left shoulder sliding into third base on April 18 and didn't return until late September. He ended up playing just 19 games all season.

Mitchell's latest injury occurred during spring training. Mitchell was on a rehabilitation assignment with Nashville for much of June and batted .318 with a .404 on-base percentage, 4 homers, 10 RBIs and 4 steals in 12 games.

In 47 major league games, Mitchell has batted .278 with a .343 on-base percentage, 5 homers, 16 RBIs and 9 steals.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.