Brewers' pitching depth takes another hit as a highly regarded prospect is sidelined

NEW YORK – Already dealing with a tenuous starting pitching situation, the Milwaukee Brewers will open the 2024 season having taken another ding to their depth.

During a post-workout media session Wednesday at Citi Field, manager Pat Murphy divulged that Robert Gasser has been sidelined for the immediate future with a bone spur in his left elbow.

"I think it's something they're dealing with and they have it under control," Murphy said of the 24-year-old who failed to make the opening-day roster but was expected to be called upon early in the season after being reassigned to minor-league camp March 19. "They don't go in and take bone spurs out anymore. I don't know any more particulars; I just know he's not available to us at this point.

"It puts us in a little bit of a bind."

General manager Matt Arnold confirmed the team is "being cautious" and that there are no plans currently for Gasser – the Brewers' fifth-best prospect as ranked by the Journal Sentinel – to undergo surgery for the issue.

As for how long Gasser might be sidelined, Murphy provided a rough estimate.

"We're trying to assess it," Murphy said. "It's not months. It's weeks."

Gasser went 0-1 with a 6.08 ERA and WHIP of 1.65 in five Cactus League appearances (three starts), and struck out 14 in 13 ⅓ innings. As Class AAA Nashville in 2023, he was named the International League's pitcher of the year after going 9-1 with a 3.79 ERA and WHIP of 1.28 in 26 appearances (25 starts) and his 166 strikeouts in 135 ⅓ innings led the Class AAA level.

Keeping with the starting pitching theme, Murphy said left-hander Wade Miley had 3 three-up, three-downs in a simulated game at Citi Field. He'll do at least one more in order to continue stretching out, then be sent out to Nashville to apply the finishing touches before joining the Brewers' rotation.

Murphy also confirmed that left-hander DL Hall will start against the New York Mets on Saturday. The team had been listing their probable starter as TBA previously.

"We wanted to see how he responded from his outing (March 24)," Murphy said. "This is new (to him). Just looking for consistency. Be consistent with his pitches, and he'll be fine."

The Brewers were scheduled to open the season Thursday with an off day Friday, but with persistent rain forecast the decision was made to move the opener back a day.

"Whatever's best for the players. That's what it's about," Murphy said. "Playing in sloppy rain and things like that, it's senseless, so we're lucky to have the off day and have it work out this way."