Brewers sign Luke Voit to 1-year deal, DFA Hiura

The Milwaukee Brewers signed first baseman Luke Voit to a one-year contract with a club option for 2024, the team announced, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.

The slugger is guaranteed $2 million and can earn an additional $3 million in performance bonuses, according to The Associated Press. His 2024 club option is for $12 million with no buyout.

Voit originally joined Milwaukee on a minor-league contract in February, several months after being non-tendered by the Washington Nationals. He hit .316/.333/.526 with two homers and four RBIs across 14 Cactus League games this spring before opting out of his previous deal to look at other big-league opportunities, but ultimately ended up back in Milwaukee.

The 32-year-old adds some more right-handed pop to a Brewers lineup that's struggled offensively over the last few seasons. He can split time between first base and DH, potentially serving as the right-handed half of a platoon at either position with Rowdy Tellez and Jesse Winker.

Voit is a lifetime .254/.342/.476 hitter with 95 home runs and 272 RBIs across parts of six big-league campaigns with four teams. He's hit at least 20 homers in three of the last four seasons, including an MLB-best 22 during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

To make room for Voit on the 40-man roster, infielder Keston Hiura was designated for assignment. Milwaukee informed Hiura last week that he wouldn't make the team but was apparently unable to find a trade for the former top prospect.

Infielder Brice Turang, the Brewers' No. 5 prospect per MLB.com, and reliever Gus Varland, the team's Rule 5 Draft selection in December, also made the Opening Day roster. Both prospects were informed of the news by manager Craig Counsell on Monday.

Milwaukee also optioned infielder Abraham Toro to Triple-A Nashville, according to McCalvy.