Brewers Starter queen priest He could face a season-opening injury list. Manager Pat Murphy told reporters that the right-hander is a little behind his build-up schedule and is not confirmed for Opening Day (link: via Curt Hogg of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel).
Priester suffered from wrist pain late last season. He avoided an IL period and was healthy enough to make two playoff appearances (although the results weren’t great). The team and pitcher decided to take things a little slower than usual during the offseason to reduce the risk of the wrist popping again. He’s been throwing the ball, but hasn’t shown any signs this spring.
There is little concern that this is a long-term problem. Priester is expected to get game reps before camp ends. But he may not have time to increase the starter’s workload in the next three weeks. The season-opening injured list could send him to the minors to begin rehabilitation if he isn’t fully ready. If the IL is kept to a minimum, he’ll only miss two turns in the rotation.
Milwaukee acquired Priester through a trade with the Red Sox in mid-April a year ago. The former first-round pick has fallen down Boston’s depth chart. Milwaukee inserted him directly into a big league rotation that has been struggling with injuries. Priester took his opportunity and posted a 3.32 ERA in 157 1/3 innings. Although his strikeout and walk profile was solid rather than excellent, the sinkerballer hit a 56.1% ground ball percentage. He allowed three or fewer runs in all but four of his 29 games.
Brandon Woodruff After last year’s slump, the opening of the regular season is also questionable. The two-time All-Star is more likely to start the season on the active roster than Priester. Woodruff took batting practice and is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on Saturday, Hogg wrote.
If Woodruff stretches out enough, he would be a solid choice to start on Opening Day. Jacob Misiorowski He’s the only pitcher who appears to be stuck in the season-opening rotation. The Flamethrower made his spring training debut this afternoon against England in the World Baseball Classic exhibition. He threw 38 pitches in two innings and struck out five.
Logan Henderson, Robert Gasser, Chad Patrick and transaction pickup Brandon Sprott and Kyle Harrison Everyone is competing for a rotation role. Milwaukee will rely heavily on one of the league’s deeper bullpens and will need to be aggressive in moving pitchers back and forth in the minor leagues. Woodruff and the left-handed pitcher Rob Zastrizhny He is the only pitcher who cannot be optioned.
