Injuries & Moves: Sousa to Tigers, clears 40-man spot
LATEST NEWS
Aug. 29: LHP Bennett Sousa claimed off waivers by Detroit
The move is less interesting on its face -- Sousa pitched just 2 2/3 innings in a pair of appearances for the Brewers this season -- and more interesting in that it clears a spot on the 40-man roster, freeing Milwaukee to make an addition. That spot could be used to claim one of the high-profile players across baseball reportedly placed on waivers this week, just in time for the Aug. 31 deadline to have players in the organization so they're postseason-eligible. It could also be used for a Sept. 1 callup who is not on the 40-man roster -- such as designated hitter Keston Hiura -- or the reinstatement of a player from the 60-day injured list such as left-hander Aaron Ashby or, later in September, Garrett Mitchell.
Aug. 28: RHP Adrian Houser (right elbow effusion) placed on 15-day injured list; RHP J.B. Bukauskas recalled from Triple-A Nashville
Houser had an eventful two innings against San Diego on Sunday. First, he caught a spike and took a tumble in the first inning, then he surrendered a pair of home runs in the second. Houser was out of the game by the third due to what the Brewers termed "minor" swelling in his right forearm, which landed him on the injured list a day later. It is not in the area of the ulnar collateral ligament, according to manager Craig Counsell.
With an off-day this week, Milwaukee could go with four starters until Sept. 5. But the club is more likely to call up a pitcher to take Houser's spot, Counsell said, in the interest of providing as much extra rest as possible for the other starters as the Brewers enter a month of September that has only two off-days.
Houser's initial read was that it would not be a long-term injury. Last year, his season was cut short by a groin injury.
Said Houser: "I don't feel like it's going to be anything crazy. Hopefully, just a couple days off. I've got a little inflammation there, so hopefully, we'll let it free up, and I'll be good to go."
Aug. 28: 1B Carlos Santana (sprained ankle) sits out Cubs opener
Santana sprained his right ankle retreating to third base during Sunday's win over the Padres. While he stuck it out the rest of that game, he was unable to go Monday night at Wrigley Field after getting treatment all day. The absence cost the Brewers a productive bat; Santana went into the series against the Cubs riding an eight-game hitting streak, during which he was 11-for-31 (.355).
Aug. 27: LHP Aaron Ashby nearing rehab assignment
After stalling a bit in his comeback from early season shoulder surgery, Ashby had a productive visit to Milwaukee during this homestand and has progressed to the cusp of pitching in games for the first time in nearly a year. He is scheduled to throw live batting practice in the coming week. Assuming that goes well, Ashby would pitch for High-A Wisconsin on Saturday. He might start the game, but the idea is for Ashby to pitch short stints in hopes of joining the Brewers' bullpen before season's end.
"It was a great week," Ashby said on Sunday. "This is the first time I've put five really, really good days together in this whole process. Every time I come up here [to Milwaukee], it's been productive."
Outfielder Garrett Mitchell (left shoulder subluxation), outfielder Blake Perkins (left oblique strain) and right-hander J.C. Mejía (right shoulder inflammation) also hope to help down the stretch. They're heading to the team's training facility in Arizona, which is a good sign. Mitchell took batting practice on the field this week for the first time since he injured his shoulder in April and still has an outside chance to play for the Brewers late in the season.
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day IL
RHP Adrian Houser (right elbow effusion)
Expected return: Late September
Houser exited his Aug. 27 start against the Padres after two innings and was diagnosed with swelling in his elbow, though not in the area of his UCL, according to manager Craig Counsell. Because Houser was expected to miss a start, the Brewers opted to place him on the IL. (Last updated: Aug. 28)
RHP Julio Teheran (right hip impingement)
Expected return: TBD
Teheran surrendered six runs in the first inning and nine runs over five innings of a July 29 loss to the Braves and wondered aloud after the game whether he was tipping pitches. It turns out he was also dealing with a right hip impingement, which he said began bothering him on July 18 against the Phillies. He began a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Aug. 25 and threw 30 of 43 pitches for strikes. His next outing will come with Triple-A Nashville on Aug. 30. (Last updated: Aug. 27)
OF Blake Perkins (left oblique strain)
Expected return: Early September
Perkins was placed on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 11 after he sustained the strain on a throw, interrupting a season in which he has been valuable off the bench as a switch-hitter and versatile defender. He was sent to the Brewers' Arizona complex on Aug. 27 to continue workouts. (Last updated: Aug. 27)
RHP J.C. Mejía (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Mejía landed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 15 complaining of shoulder discomfort and was shut down for about two weeks. He was sent to the club's Arizona complex on Aug. 27 to continue his rehab. (Last updated: Aug. 27)
DH Jesse Winker (back spasms)
Expected return: TBD
Winker began a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Aug. 15 and was transferred to Triple-A Nashville on Aug. 22. He collected a big hit off the bench on July 24 against the Reds, but Winker felt his back "grab" the next night while he was running some pregame sprints, and he was hobbled to the point of landing on the IL.
It marked the second IL stint this season for Winker, who is hitting .199 with a .247 slugging percentage in 61 games. (Last updated: Aug. 22)
60-day IL
LHP Aaron Ashby (left shoulder)
Expected return: Late September
Sidelined since he injured his shoulder in a run-up to Spring Training, Ashby progressed all summer before running into a bit of a roadblock in terms of his velocity. But he had a good week of throwing during the Brewers' Aug. 22-27 homestand and was lined up to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Sept. 2. The Brewers are planning to pitch Ashby in short stints, so he might not need many rehab outings before he's an option for the big league bullpen. (Last updated: Aug. 27)
CF Garrett Mitchell (left shoulder subluxation)
Expected return: Late September, at the earliest
Mitchell's left shoulder popped out of the joint during the Brewers' game against the Mariners on April 18, and an MRI revealed significant damage to his labrum -- enough to necessitate surgery on May 2 that could sideline him for the remainder of the season. But there's still a chance he could play in late September or October, should the Brewers make it that far.
Mitchell visited the team in Milwaukee during its Aug. 22-27 homestand, by which time he'd been hitting and throwing for several weeks. Time is tight for him to build the at-bats necessary to participate in Major League games at the most important time of year, but at least there's a possibility for Mitchell to chase. (Last updated: Aug. 22)
LHP Justin Wilson (left lat strain)
Expected return: 2024
After recovering from Tommy John surgery, Wilson was supposed to make his long-awaited return during a July 28 game against Atlanta. But on his last warmup pitch before entering, Wilson sustained an injury to his left lat.
Wilson returned to Milwaukee for tests to determine the severity of the injury, which the Brewers described as "significant." The left-hander was transferred to the 60-day IL on Aug. 7. (Last updated: Aug. 7)
1B Darin Ruf (right knee)
Expected return: TBD
Ruf suffered a laceration to his right knee during Milwaukee's June 2 win over the Reds that was so severe it exposed tendons and ligaments. He was stitched up and landed on the injured list the following day.
Further testing revealed a fractured patella. That injury typically requires a six- to eight-week rehab, thus the move to the 60-day IL as of June 5. (Last updated: June 5)