Segura returns to Brewers after the death of his son

Milwaukee Brewers’ manager Ron Roenicke was surprised to hear from his starting shortstop Jean Segura on Wednesday night. Segura was given the news no parent should hear after the Brewers’ Friday night loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. He was told that his nine-month old son Janniel had passed away.

Apparently Janniel had been ill but Segura had talked to his family prior to the game and had not been under the impression that the infant was in any immediate danger. Sadly, that was not the case and Segura left the team, almost immediately, to be with his family in the Dominican Republic. 

So less than a week later it would be a surprise to anyone to hear from Segura who not only told Roenicke that he was in town but that he would be attending the Brewers’ voluntary workout scheduled for Thursday afternoon. The workout ended up being cancelled but the point is that Segura was back and seemingly ready to play. 

“I talked to him last night; he sounded good,” Roenicke said. “We’ll sit down with him tomorrow and talk with him and make sure everything is good before we, I guess, really activate him.“I think because every individual is different, I don’t think you can just come up with a plan,” Roenicke added. “I didn’t know Seggy would be back with us this soon. I know he told me that he felt like he needed to do it to take his mind off it, and get back to something that he enjoys, so that’s why he plans to play in Washington.”

There is no guarantee that Segura will be playing regularly if indeed he is taken off of the bereavement list for tomorrow’s game in Washington against the Nationals. Elian Herrera who was called-up from Triple-A Nashville will remain with the club as the back up shortstop. The club also placed Jeff Bianchi on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right elbow.

As for assessing Segura’s readiness to play, Roenicke maintained that he will simply take it day to day, having a regular conversation with the shortstop to see how he is feeling and progressing after just having endured such a tragedy.

Brewers’ general manager Doug Melvin is also allowing members of Segura’s family to travel with him to help support him through this difficult time.