Tom Gorzelanny Has Shoulder Surgery

Aug 28, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Tom Gorzelanny (32) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Tom Gorzelanny underwent shoulder surgery last week. Assistant general manager Gord Ash said Gorzelanny needed a “clean-up” of the joint.

The 31-year-old, who didn’t pitch after Sep. 2 of last season because of shoulder soreness, is expected to miss the beginning of Spring Training and won’t be ready to pitch until mid-March. Still, the Brewers expect him to be ready for Opening Day.

Because of injuries to the starting rotation, Gorzelanny split time between the bullpen and the rotation in 2013, finding much more success as a reliever. In 36.2 innings out of the ‘pen, he pitched to a 2.70 ERA, while as a starter, he yielded a 4.81 ERA in 48.2 innings for an overall earned run average of 3.90.

Doug Melvin and Co. were already in the market for bullpen arms so it’ll be interesting to see if Gorzelanny’s surgery forces them to push harder for a reliever.

Gorzelanny is in the final year of a two-year contract that will pay him $2.95 million in 2014.