Key veteran Brewers starter now expected to open 2024 season on the injured list

The 2024 season is not going to get off to the start that veteran Brewers lefty Wade Miley had hoped for. After a balky shoulder has kept him out of Cactus League action much of the spring, it looked like Miley could be trending in the right direction. But alas, he was scratched from his latest scheduled start.

Miley was slated to start Thursday night's spring game but was scratched in favor of Robert Gasser, who was already assigned to minors camp. In Miley's comments, he made clear that he was going to start the year on the injured list.

The groin tightness injury is different than what's ailed him this spring, but it's another notable issue for the 37 year old lefty. He's dealt with a variety of ailments in recent years, and it's looking ike injuries are going to continue to plague him.

Miley was a trusted member of last year's rotation, and without him this Brewers starting group is lacking even more proven quantities. Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Adrian Houser are all either with new teams or out for the year and now Miley is going to hit the shelf, too. That's four of Milwaukee's five best starters from last season. Freddy Peralta is the only remaining healthy starter from last year's group.

As for what this means for the 2024 rotation, an IL stint for Miley opens up a roster spot. Joe Ross is another veteran that's been a named candidate for starts if Miley cannot go to start the year. Aaron Ashby is also still in big league camp and could be a candidate to rejoin the rotation as well.

The top of the rotation is now Peralta, Colin Rea, and rookie DL Hall. Jakob Junis will be in there as well with one of Ross or Ashby likely filling that fifth spot while Miley is out. It's a far cry from the rotations of the last few years.

This does increase the chances of both Ross and Ashby making the roster on Opening Day with one making the rotation and one being in the bullpen as the swingman.

Losing Miley for any length of time is a blow to the Brewers rotation and they'll be looking for him to get healthy quickly. They'll need him to be a reliable option once again in 2024, and if he's not, the rotation could be in rough shape.