Brewers starter Freddy Peralta left tonight’s start against the Giants in the third inning. The right-hander’s velocity dipped, and the club announced he’s battling shoulder fatigue. After the game, manager Craig Counsell informed reporters (including Adam McCalvy of MLB.com) that Peralta is likely headed back to the 15-day injured list.
It has to be a frustrating development for the 2021 All-Star, who already lost a good chunk of the year to a lat strain. Since returning from the IL, he’s had some trouble maintaining his strongest form every fifth day. Peralta hadn’t pitched since August 31, as the Brewers pushed his scheduled Monday start back to tonight to buy him a bit more rest. That unfortunately didn’t work out as intended, and it now seems the club will give him at least a couple weeks before he returns to the mound.
While it’s obviously not an ideal situation, both Peralta and Counsell indicated they weren’t especially concerned about his long-term health. Initial evaluations didn’t reveal any structural concerns, and the club is confident the issue is simply one of fatigue. Peralta flatly told reporters (including Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) that he’ll pitch again this season, expressing confidence he just needs some time to rest his arm.
The injuries have prevented Peralta from replicating last year’s form, when he worked to a 2.81 ERA through 144 1/3 innings. He’s still been plenty effective when healthy, carrying a 3.45 ERA with an above-average 26.6% strikeout rate, but he’s only been able to take the ball 15 times. Needless to say, losing roughly half a season’s workload from an arm of that caliber has been a tough blow for a Milwaukee club jockeying for a playoff spot.
The Brewers are already without Aaron Ashby, who’s been out since August 20 with shoulder inflammation. Milwaukee was dealt another scare yesterday when left-hander Eric Lauer left his start early and was diagnosed with an elbow strain. McCalvy relays tonight that an early MRI was encouraging, and Lauer will go for further evaluation tomorrow. Milwaukee hasn’t placed him on the injured list to this point, so it seems there’s still a chance he’ll be able to make his next start.
Despite Peralta’s early departure, the Brewers held on to sweep today’s doubleheader with San Francisco. That pulled them within 2 1/2 games of the Phillies for the National League’s final Wild Card spot with roughly a month left on the schedule.
Here we go – brewers could be a sleeper team coming into the playoffs, burns is finally pitching well
Finally?? Burnes been there best starter all year u could say that about woodruff
Finally, yes finally he hasn’t had a quality start since august 18 his past three starts he has given up 7, 5, and 5 in that order
He hasn’t had a quality start since August 13. 3 ER in 5.2 IP is not a quality start.
I’m pretty sure burnes is the least of the brewers worries
He’s had a sub 3 era all year. I’d say that’s a very good season he’s been pitching well all year
Not recently he hasn’t.
He just struck out 14 and allowed 1 run…
My comment was made before this start. Prior to yesterday’s game, he’d given up 5 runs, 5 runs, and 7 runs over the previous 3 starts.
Sleeper or spoiler? I find it odd you think they’ll make the playoffs.
SLEEPER
They definitely won’t make the playoffs, especially with how poorly they been playing lately
I love Brewers but I still think they are done for the year. It might be best that they just put Lauer, Peralta, and Ashby on IL for the rest of the year. No need to chance long term damage. Plus we’re not getting back into this.
Never say never with a Counsell-lead Brewers team with their backs against the wall. Ashby is throwing bullpens and isn’t far from a return, Lauer might not even miss his next start, and Peralta should be back in some capacity in 15 days.
There are 2 years where Counsell led teams were .500 in September. The “Craigtember” stuff is way overblown.
Might as well say “Yelitember” because he went off those 2 years hitting HR and chasing the MVP..I don’t see him replicating those performances either.
I’m not letting the doubleheader sweep fool me. I think they’re done, and have for almost 2 weeks now.
Burnes went 8 innings, allowed 1 run and K’d 14. 1 very good start after a few plain lousy ones. Woodruff has been solid or better since coming off the IL. Unfortunately as of right now that’s all they have for starters with Peralta, Lauer and Ashby dealing with various injuries. I don’t hate Alexander, but I wouldn’t want to count on him to pitch well/deep in a playoff game. Or Houser. And too many relievers have been taking turns stinking lately, so can’t count on a solid bullpen game either.
The offense is just..freaking frustrating.
With all that, I don’t see much reason to rush Peralta back this season..unless they’re looking for proof he does or doesn’t need surgery or something. But 2+ innings this soon after an IL stint..all relatively short outings..is not a good sign.
I mean was anybody expecting 30 hrs outta rowdy tellez granted he’s only batting like .220 seems like the brewers r always short a pitcher or 2 every year
Offense gonna go ice cold in playoffs too many swing and miss guys
Mr. Pineapple your a very smart man and I haven’t even been drinking today yet lol
If he stay tall on his back leg I don’t think he will have shoulder problem,but because he slider has a big break and the analytics on top they don’t see how his shoulder is suffering
Without Lauer and Peralta for any extended period of time, the Brewers really can’t climb back into the Wild Card race. Their offense is just too erratic, and two top starters (Woody and Burnes) can’t pitch every day. I think they’re cooked for 2022, I just hope they address the offense in the off-season instead of blaming the shortfall on the starters’ injuries.
Wow! Is peralta ever fragile! Does counsell change his diapers too?
Ever tried being a major league pitcher? It’s clearly incredibly stressful on the body.
What they need to do is give the full time CF job to Jonathan Davis for next year. He deserves a shot, excellent defense and I think he’ll hit for a high average
Mitchell Garrett is one of their highest rated prospects. I assume they want to see what he can do the remainder of the season.
Pretty sure he’s kidding. Davis defense is good, but he can’t hit. And he isn’t built to be a HR hitter so he doesn’t fit the approach anyway.
The Brewers are too reliant on HRs. There’s no true top of the order hitters . They allowed the personal goals of Lorenzo Cain trump team winning.
Hope Freddy heals-up. I enjoy watching him pitch – great stuff.
Pitchers are dropping like flies. Nice win in DH, but I too think they are done. I do not feel we have anyone to replace them. Bring up Small now!
Small can’t throw strikes. He needs the pitching lab & a sports psychologist.