The Brewers indicated yesterday that starting pitcher Jose Quintana, dealing with a calf strain, would be evaluated after a catch session. All went well per Quintana, but the team nonetheless announced his placement on the 15-day injured list – a move that renders him ineligible for the rest of the regular season. To be sure, the development is cause for dismay, but it also creates opportunities for the Brewers’ backlog of young arms. Far from the end of the world, it could produce a net positive.
Quintana’s absence stages showcase for Brewers’ young arms
Quintana suffered the injury covering first base in his start on Sunday, and left the game after four innings. Retroactive to September 14, his IL stint effectively ends his season at 24 starts, spanning 131.2 innings and a 3.96 ERA. A one-year signing late in free agency, Quintana gave the Brewers what they asked for and probably a bit more. He may be back for the postseason, or he may not. If Milwaukee does not plan to use him as a starter, they have better swing-and-miss options.
With Nick Mears coming off the injured list, Quintana’s departure means that the roster will otherwise remain intact. There is no need to send anyone down to accommodate Mears.
It also means that there should be enough innings to go around for Chad Patrick, Tobias Myers, and Robert Gasser, who is on track to return in the very near future. Quintana had been scheduled to make his next start this weekend. Although he has been working in relief, Patrick is a decent bet to take Quintana’s spot on Sunday, which would give him five days since his last appearance.
The Brewers could also use Gasser as a Quintana substitute, but that doesn’t seem to be the plan and he hasn’t been going deep in games at Triple-A. In 14 appearances, Gasser has logged 11 starts and 32 innings.
The Brewers also seem to like Myers in the bullpen, where he has settled in since mid-August. Currently on the 60-day injured list, Logan Henderson deserves mention as another young Brewers starter who could be an option at some point. Not now. There has been no word since the team estimated a late September/early October return.
However Milwaukee fills in for Quintana – maybe they opt for a semi-bullpen game using some combination of Patrick/Myers/Gasser – the main thing is simply having innings available. Gasser especially could use regular work if he’s going to tag along for the playoffs.
By that time, with Megill healthy and Quintana back in the mix, the Brewers will have too many pitchers and not enough roster spots available. The last two weeks of the season will serve as an audition for Gasser and others as Milwaukee decides who to keep on, in the bullpen or the starting five, for October.
It’s not the first thing on the Brewers’ mind, but for the young trio of Patrick, Myers and Gasser, it’s also a chance to gain momentum for next season. Since early July, Myers leads the bunch with 23.2 major-league innings; next is Patrick with 16.2. Gasser has been injured the whole season and rehabbing at Nashville. Despite being used as relievers, all three are starters by trade.
Point is, they could use some reps in Quintana’s absence. More than that, having dutifully filled whatever role the team has asked, they’ve earned the opportunity.
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