Will Smith Heading to DL, Could Require Surgery

Seriously, Brewers, wrap your players in bubble wrap or something. K-Rod stepped on a cactus. Chris Narveson and Scooter Gennett cut their hands, the former with a scissors while working on his glove, the latter on a shelf while showering.

Jonathan Lucroy broke his hand when a suitcase fell on it. Jean Segura was hit in the head by Ryan Braun’s bat in the dugout. Just google “Brewers freak accident” for 226,000 results. Now would-be co-closer Will Smith has torn the LCL in his right knee while attempting to take off a shoe.

Smith was seen on crutches in the clubhouse today with his leg immobilized, and Brewers beat writer Tom Haudricourt reports that manager Craig Counsell believes Smith will miss “significant” time.

It isn’t yet clear whether Smith will require surgery or simply rehab, but for the time being, Jeremy Jeffress appears to be the team’s sole closer.

Previously, Counsell had alluded to the two relievers’ opposite handedness as something to exploit in the closer’s role, but Smith’s injury muddles that picture. For his part, Jeffress addressed the situation as one might expect when a friend and colleague suffers a setback.

Smith’s injury, like Yhonathan Barrios’ before it, allows an additional pitcher the opportunity to make the team’s Opening Day roster.

And with Sean Nolin and Zack Jones also down with injuries, the three undecided bullpen slots now fall to prospects Ariel Pena, Tyler Cravy, and David Goforth, as well as journeyman Blaine Boyer, and the only lefties in the mix, Chris Capuano and Franklin Morales.

Of the three prospects, Pena is the only pitcher who is out of minor league options, and therefore is in my opinion the most likely to make the club out of Spring Training. If the Brewers feel they need a lefty in the bullpen, both Cravy and Goforth can be sent to AAA Colorado Springs without having to clear waivers.