Brewers face immediate injury payback for highly risky rain delay decision

On May 22, the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-5. Aaron Civale was the starting pitcher in this contest and he was making his first start back after a lengthy injured list stint due to a hamstring strain.

Civale's return unfortunately came with a bullpen that was short-handed and in the rainy depths of PNC Park. The Brewers reinforced their pitching staff by calling up Carlos Rodriguez, who ended up making an appearance out of the bullpen.

Rodriguez ended up picking up his first career win in this game, but Milwaukee's risky decision to keep him in the game on both sides of the delay appears to have backfired and resulted in an injury.

Brewers face immediate injury payback for risky rain delay decision with Carlos Rodriguez

After Civale and Rob Zastryzny covered the first 4.2 innings against the Pirates, Rodriguez preserved a Brewers 4-2 lead in the fifth inning by throwing some early game high-leverage pitches. He got most of the way through the sixth inning until a 1 hour and 50 minute rain delay put the game on pause.

After the rain delay, the Brewers sent Rodriguez back out on the mound, where he finished off the inning by striking out Bryan Reynolds on seven pitches, leaving the tying run on first base. From there, he pitched scoreless seventh and eighth innings, but ran into trouble during the ninth and eventually turned the ball over to Trevor Megill to finish the game. In total, Rodriguez threw 24 pitches before the rain delay and 50 afterwards.

After the game, Rodriguez was optioned back to the minor leagues. He made his next start a week later, but unfortunately left with the trainer after 2.1 innings pitched. Per Adam McCalvy at MLB.com, the right-hander is undergoing tests for forearm discomfort.

The uncertainty over Rodriguez's immediate future raises questions about the Brewers risky decision to continue with him on the mound in Pittsburgh. He didn't just return to record the final out of the inning. He threw 50 additional pitches. Hopefully, the repercussions do not result in a long-term injury. It is unfortunately how many fans likely saw this coming, though.