Brewers call up IF Caleb Durbin after sending Oliver Dunn to the minors

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers continued their third base shuffle by calling up Caleb Durbin on Friday, one day after sending Oliver Dunn to Triple-A Nashville.

Durbin came to the Brewers along with left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes in the offseason trade that sent two-time NL reliever of the year Devin Williams to the New York Yankees. Durbin went 2 for 4 and scored a run in his major league debut Friday as the Brewers defeated the Athletics 5-3.

Dunn had been splitting time at third base with Vinny Capra before getting sent down, but it appears Durbin will have a more regular role at that spot.

“I see him playing every day,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said before Friday's game.

Durbin, 25, was batting .278 with a .316 on-base percentage, two homers, three RBIs and three steals in 13 games with Nashville. Durbin played third base in eight of his 13 appearances this year, though he has played second base more than any other position in the minors.

His arrival in the majors is a pretty remarkable accomplishment for the 5-foot-7 infielder from Division III program Washington University of St. Louis. Durbin grew up about an hour away from Milwaukee in Lake Forest, Illinois, and he said he bought about 30 tickets for friends and relatives to attend Friday’s game. Plenty of other friends already had acquired their own tickets.

“Definitely my journey’s pretty unique, but I think just in general anyone at this level has put in a ton of work," Durbin said.

“I know how much work I've had to put in to get here, and it's not easy. But at the same time, you just put your head down and work and you’re giving yourself the best chance. That's kind of what it’s been about for me.”

The 27-year-old Dunn had started 11 of the Brewers’ first 19 games at third base but was struggling to make an impact. He was hitting .167 with a .205 on-base percentage, no homers, six RBIs and one steal in 14 games.

Dunn batted .221 with a .282 on-base percentage, one homer, seven RBIs and three steals in 41 games for the Brewers last year.

Murphy said he could sense Dunn's struggles were starting to affect him.

“It's no disrespect in any way,” Murphy said. “It happens to virtually most of all young players. You could say the same thing about Capra, but Capra has the ability to play shortstop. If something was to happen, we need that flexibility.”

The 28-year-old Capra entered Friday batting .097 with a .125 on-base percentage, one homer and three RBIs in 13 games.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Milwaukee Brewers' Caleb Durbin, left, runs off the field in the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers' Caleb Durbin (21) talks to Sal Frelick before a baseball game against the Athletics, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

A fan holds up a sign welcoming Milwaukee Brewers' Caleb Durbin who is scheduled to make his MLB debut in a baseball game against the Athletics, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers' Caleb Durbin hits his first major league hit against the Athletics in the third inning of a baseball game Friday, April 18, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers' Caleb Durbin gets his first MLB hit, in the third inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers' Caleb Durbin watches his first MLB hit, in the third inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers' Caleb Durbin, right, reacts after his first major league hit with first base coach Julio Borbon against the Athletics in the third inning of a baseball game Friday, April 18, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers' Caleb Durbin runs to first base after his first MLB hit, in the third inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers' Caleb Durbin reacts after catching a foul ball hit by the Athletics' Lawrence Butler during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers' Caleb Durbin throws a ball into the stands before a baseball game against the Athletics, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Brewers' Caleb Durbin cannot throw out Athletics' Miguel Andujar during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Stefan Noesen, Paul Cotter and Cody Glass each scored to help the New Jersey Devils beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 on Saturday and snap a five-game home losing streak.

New Jersey started the season 9-0-1 on its home ice before losing five straight at the Prudential Center.

The Devils' third line of Cotter, Juho Lammikko and Noesen combined for five points (two goals, three assists). It was Noesen's first goal in 22 games.

Troy Terry scored for Anaheim.

Cotter scored in his third straight game, giving New Jersey a 2-1 lead at 5:52 of the second period, from Lammikko and Noesen.

Glass increased the Devils lead to 3-1 late in the second period from Ondrej Palat and Colton White. Connor Brown scored on an empty net late in the game for his seventh goal this season.

Terry scored his 10th goal of the season and third in as many games on a breakaway in the first period from Leo Carlsson for a 1-0 lead.

Jake Allen stopped 30 shots for New Jersey for his first win since Nov. 28. Allen had lost three straight.

Lukas Dostal had 18 saves for the Ducks, who failed to convert on four power-play opportunities.

The Devils were without Timo Meier, their top goal-scorer, who missed his second straight game due to a family health matter. New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe said prior to the game, “we will give him (Meier) all the time he needs.”

Anaheim was playing in its third game in five nights as part of a five-game road trip.

Ducks: Visit the New York Rangers on Monday night.

Devils: Host Vancouver on Sunday.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

New Jersey Devils left wing Paul Cotter (47) reacts after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson Lacombe (2) battles for the puck with New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New Jersey Devils defenseman Colton White (45) collides with Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Poehling chasing down a puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New Jersey Devils left wing Paul Cotter (47) reacts after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)