Joey Ortiz has taken over the Milwaukee Brewers’ starting shortstop position after Willy Adames departed in free agency, but his performance has been inconsistent. After a dismal start, Ortiz showed promise with a .277 average and a .748 OPS in June. However, manager Pat Murphy expressed frustration over Ortiz's recent plate discipline, particularly after Ortiz's troubling swing decisions led to bench time. With a .209 average and .575 OPS for the season, Ortiz is under pressure to improve with the trade deadline approaching.

Murphy emphasized the need for Ortiz to regain conviction at the plate, suggesting that mental adjustments are crucial for overcoming his recent struggles. The Brewers' reliance on Ortiz to produce offensively could lead them to explore trade options if his performance doesn’t improve soon.