Brewers’ Jon Singleton back in majors for 1st time since ‘15

“It’s been a long journey,” said Singleton, who is starting Saturday’s game and batting sixth vs. the Reds. “Right now, I really can’t even describe my emotions, my feelings. Definitely grateful.”

Singleton, 31, was such a heralded prospect early in his pro career that he signed a $10 million long-term deal with the Houston Astros in 2014 before ever playing a big league game, but off-field issues hampered his development.

Singleton told reporters he learned about his promotion from Nashville Sounds manager Rick Sweet during the ninth inning of Friday’s game.

“When Rick told me, I was just mind-blown, to be honest,” Singleton said. “It was something that came so unexpectedly at that moment. It was definitely a long time coming.”

Singleton batted a combined .171 with a .290 on-base percentage, 14 homers and 50 RBIs with the Astros from 2014 to ‘15. The Astros released Singleton in 2018 while he was serving a 100-game suspension under baseball’s minor league drug program after a third positive test for a drug of abuse.