An MRI of Freddy Peralta’s sore right shoulder revealed a posterior shoulder strain, and the right-hander is expected to miss “significant” time, Brewers manager Craig Counsell announced to reporters Monday (Twitter link, with video, via MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy). The Brewers expect that Peralta will be able to return this season, but a specific timetable isn’t yet clear. Surgery isn’t expected to be necessary, Counsell added. Left-hander Aaron Ashby is expected to step into the Milwaukee rotation in his place, joining Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Eric Lauer and Adrian Houser.
Deep and talented as Milwaukee’s pitching staff is, there’s little denying that Peralta’s loss is a major one for the Brew Crew. The right-hander hasn’t been himself this year, evidenced by a pedestrian 4.42 ERA and a diminished (albeit still excellent) 30.3% strikeout rate through his first 38 2/3 frames. That’s solid production for a fourth or fifth starter but a far cry from Peralta’s dominant 2021 campaign, when he posted a 2.81 ERA and 33.6% strikeout rate through 144 1/3 frames.
The group of Burnes, Woodruff and Peralta looked to be arguably the top rotation trio of any team in the league, but it hasn’t played out that way this year. Burnes has been dominant, following up on his 2021 Cy Young win with a brilliant 2.26 ERA in 51 2/3 innings. But both Peralta and Woodruff have struggled to match last year’s outstanding results. Rather, it’s been Lauer who has stepped things up considerably, while through his first seven turns, the underrated Houser somewhat remarkably has perfectly replicated last year’s 3.22 ERA.
Ashby will now step into that mix and hope to solidify his place in the Milwaukee rotation for the foreseeable future. A former fourth-round pick, Ashby has generally been considered the Brewers’ top pitching prospect for the past few seasons and, so far in 2022, has looked the part. He’s split his time between the rotation and the bullpen, notching a 3.49 ERA with a strong 27.6% strikeout rate and a mammoth 64.8% grounder rate. Ashby’s command has been spotty, as advertised (13.8% walk rate), but he’s minimizing hard contact and getting tons of chases off the plate (35.5%). He’s yet to pitch more than four innings in an outing this season, though, so it’ll be telling just how Ashby fares when working deeper into games and perhaps turning a lineup over for a third time.
Well it is Small complication for the Brewers. I think this is a situation that they should be able to get through.
I agree this is but a Small issue, the team just needs to make 1 Small tweak and they will be fine.
Is Miss Significant on Freddy’s date list?
Ashby is ready for the role. Plus Small is coming soon who has been terrific. They can manage this absence. Get Peralta back for July/August they should be fine. Wouldn’t be shocked to see Stearns add another bullpen arm or 2 though
Me thinks the Crew will be the team that kicks the door down first at the market.
That Joey Wiemer cat is looking awfully nice, meow!!!
They’ve got Ashby already pegged to take Freddy’s spot. Plus Lindbolm, Small and probably at least 1 more waiting in the minors for a chance.
Looking forward to seeing how Ashby does with the opportunity. Got some nasty stuff but how will it hold up over 5-6 innings?
Strikes out 10 Braves throwing big heat, gives up 2 hits and 0 runs in 7 ip, then gives up 5 in his next start in 3ip then goes on the DL and is injured. He put everything into that Braves game.
The box score won’t show it, but the defense was awful in his start against the Nats. And it didn’t help that Suter came in with runners on. He’s not good at preventing inherited runners from scoring.
If it wasn’t for the game he got hurt in, he would have an ERA around 3.5. Remove the first game of the season and it’s probably close to a 3.00 ERA. Not pedestrian, I was finally feeling like he was back to himself
Time for the brewers to strike first on the offensive front. Missing Renfroe now for who’s know with a hamstring injury, Adames still on the IL, meanwhile Cain, Huira, and Caratini are automatic outs…this team needs more thump. Long road trip and playing STL hope they strike the trade market soon.
Hiura is not an automatic out. An OPS+ of 116, inst amazing but definitely serviceable.