UPDATE: The Milwaukee Brewers’ pitching depth takes another hit as right-hander Nick Mears has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to back tightness. This news broke just before the Brewers’ pivotal matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night, intensifying concerns about the team’s bullpen.
Mears, 28, is the latest casualty in a growing list of injured Brewers relievers, which includes All-Star closer Trevor Megill (right flexor strain) and left-hander DL Hall (right oblique). Right-handers Grant Anderson (right ankle) and Shelby Miller (right elbow) are also sidelined. Miller’s situation is particularly alarming; he has been placed on the 60-day injured list with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament and is facing the possibility of a second Tommy John surgery.
In a swift response, the Brewers recalled right-hander Carlos Rodríguez from Triple-A Nashville to bolster their bullpen. Rodríguez, 23, has made two appearances with Milwaukee this season, with a record of 1-0 and a 9.95 ERA. In Nashville, he has performed better, posting a 3-4 record with a 3.86 ERA in 15 games.
This injury crisis comes at a critical time for the Brewers, who entered Friday’s game with the best record in Major League Baseball and a 51⁄2 game lead in the NL Central over the Chicago Cubs. Mears has been a key contributor, boasting a 5-3 record and a 3.42 ERA across 59 appearances this season, with 43 strikeouts over 52 2/3 innings.
While the team is optimistic about Megill’s potential return by mid-September, Anderson is set to throw an inning in a rehabilitation assignment on Saturday, and Hall may be back by late September. The Brewers are feeling the pressure as they strive to maintain their top position in the league amidst these setbacks.
Fans and analysts are closely monitoring the situation, as the Brewers navigate this challenging period. The urgency to stabilize the pitching staff is palpable, and every game counts as the postseason approaches. As the Brewers face the Pirates, all eyes will be on how they adapt to these injuries and whether they can sustain their momentum in the race for the playoffs.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
