Brewers Injury Updates: Rookie starter dealing with elbow trouble

The Brewers' rotation suffered yet another blow today when manager Pat Murphy announced rookie Robert Gasser is dealing with left elbow tightness.

The 25-year old rookie has made five starts for the Brewers this season and has looked exceptional, only allowing 1 walk in 28 innings, while pitching to a 2.57 ERA in that time. Gasser is getting a second opinion, but this blow weakens an already thin rotation.

Gasser's velocity was down in his start on Saturday in which he went 5 innings, allowed 7 hits, 2 homers, and struck out 3 in his 77 pitch start. He also had previously spent time on the IL this season for bone spurs in his left elbow, delaying his debut until May.

If Gasser does end up being placed on the Injured List, he would join seven other pitchers on the IL, which includes 3 members of the Brewers original starting rotation. Wade Miley, who started the year on the IL before being placed on it again with a UCL injury in late April, is among the increasing numbers of MLB pitchers who have suffered elbow injuries this season and Gasser may join him.

As it stands, the Brewers have TBD listed to start Tuesday and Wednesday against the Phillies. It is possible Aaron Ashby is called up to make a start. Ashby last pitched on Friday in AAA Nashville, throwing 7 shut out innings allowing only 2 hits against the Memphis Redbirds.

Positive Brewers injury updates

Fortunately, Murphy did provide some good news on two of the Brewers pitchers currently on the IL, Jakob Junis is being sent to Nashville to start a rehab assignment, and RHP Joe Ross is not far from being sent on a rehab assignment of his own.

Junis may be brought back as a reliever but Ross returning to the rotation would be a major help. However, neither would be ready to take the next turn in the rotation. The Brewers already don't have a fifth starter since Tobias Myers was optioned down. They'll need to bring up another starting pitcher for his spot and now they may need one for Gasser's next turn as well.

Should Gasser be out for an extended period of time, the Brewers may be forced to make a trade for a starting pitcher, jump starting the trade season. Teams like the Mets or Angels may be getting calls from Matt Arnold as the Brewers look to fortify their battered rotation.