Milwaukee Brewers: Chase Anderson Injured?

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Chase Anderson exited the game early on Wednesday night with an apparent injury. What does this mean for the Brewers starting rotation? A lot.

Anderson came into Tuesday night’s game with a 6-2 record in 15 starts with a 2.92 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. So far this year, he’s struck out 84 while walking only 27 in 89 1/3 innings of work.

He logged a 1-2-3 first inning, and came up to bat in the top of the second. With two outs and runners on first and second, Anderson struck out swinging. On the final strike, he appeared to strain a muscle in his midsection. He was later diagnosed with an oblique strain.

Anderson will surely need a DL stint, and it wouldn’t come as a shock to see him miss at least a month. Oblique strains are slow to heal, and take a while to get over. According to a recent study conducted between 2011-2015, 996 Major and Minor League players suffered oblique strains with an average recovery time of 22.2 days per injury. There’s a non-zero chance that Anderson doesn’t come back until early-to-mid August, depending on how server his oblique strain is.

Who Will Replace Anderson In The Rotation?

The Milwaukee Brewers will need to find a starter to replace Anderson in the rotation while he’s on the mend. Journeyman Paolo Espino is already on the Major League roster, and may very well get the first crack at starting, but should he?

Anderson’s turn in the rotation won’t come up again until July 3rd. The Brewers have a few days to make a decision. Espino is the obvious choice, but there are a few other names worth considering.

Josh Hader

It’s clear that the Brewers top prospect is going to work out of the bullpen for this season, but still owns a 0.00 ERA in six appearances. The problem is that Josh Hader has walked seven in 8 1/3 innings. He will likely be in the Brewers’ rotation as soon as next year, but now isn’t the time for Hader to try to take the ball as a starter.

Brandon Woodruff

Woodruff would be an option if he were fully healthy and pitching in Colorado Springs. He’s not healthy, and not pitching at Colorado Springs. He may need a tune up start or two even when he’s ready. He’s not an option until he comes off the DL.

Michael Blazek

Michael Blazek has transitioned from a bullpen role into the Colorado Sky Sox starting rotation. He’s enjoyed some success and has even thrown back-to-back quality starts in the thin Colorado air. His schedule even lines up with Anderson’s next start. He could be a very real option to make a few spot starts in July.

Next: Who's Already Back With The Brewers?

Chase Anderson and his sub-3.00 ERA have a lot to do with the Milwaukee Brewers success. While they may be able to cobble together a rotation without him, it’s clear that the team is better off with him. Anderson should take his time coming back, but the more starts he misses, the lower the Brewers chances of actually coming away with the division crown.