NEWSLETTER
A couple injuries to note among other NL Central contenders, as each of the Brewers and Reds have taken a hit to their rotation. The presumption for now is short-term on each, but I suppose we’ll see.
First, you have Wade Miley, who goes on the 15-day IL with “elbow inflammation” and will get some imaging done. Miley, 37, was incredibly steady for the Brewers last year, and the Brewers would feel that loss in the rotation if it’s for any meaningful length of time (especially given that they’re already without Jakob Junis, DL Hall, and Robert Gasser). Right now the Brewers have Freddy Peralta, Colin Rea, and Joe Ross available as part of their normal rotation. That’s it.
If the Brewers’ rotation is still a mess in a couple weeks, it could directly benefit the Cubs, as the two teams square off May 3-5 at Wrigley.
Next, you have Frankie Montas, one of the Reds’ big signings this offseason, who goes on the IL after taking a comebacker off his forearm. The expectation is that he’ll miss just two starts (i.e., a minimum 15-day IL stint), but I’m sure the Reds will be cautious. Montas, 31, has pitched only so-so through his first five starts with the Reds (4.19 ERA, 19.1 IP, 5.33 FIP), but he is obviously one of their big upside plays. For now, the Reds can lean on one of their other offseason signings to take his place in the rotation, swing-man Nick Martinez.
