Harrison leaves game with blister: 'I think he'll be on track soon'

PHOENIX – Brewers starter Kyle Harrison exited his Spring Training start in a 4-3 loss to the Angels on Wednesday with a blister on his left index finger, a minor ailment in the grand scheme of things but problematic at the moment, given the state of Milwaukee’s starting rotation and the approach of Opening Day.

Manager Pat Murphy said the club caught the matter early enough that Harrison won’t be set back by more than a day or so, if at all.

“He’s had issues with this in the past,” Murphy said. “It’s a new grip on his changeup and that produced the blister. It’s done it a little bit in the past so it’s something we wanted to get under control early. I think he’ll be on track soon.”

Harrison, one of three players acquired by the Brewers from the Red Sox just as pitchers and catchers were reporting to camp, appeared to have a smooth path to Milwaukee’s starting rotation as he took the mound against the Angels. He lasted parts of three innings, allowing two home runs in a second inning extended by third baseman Luis Rengifo’s fielding error. Harrison was out of the game by the start of the fourth, having thrown 59 pitches.

Pitchers regularly deal with blisters, so there was no immediate concern about a long absence. But Harrison adds to an injury report that includes starting pitchers Quinn Priester, who will miss the start of the season as he receives treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome, as well as Brandon Woodruff (recovering from a right lat injury) and Logan Henderson (sore right elbow), who could miss the start of the season as they build up pitch counts.

Woodruff is scheduled to start Thursday night against the Rangers, and the Brewers hope to have a better handle on his timeline after that. Henderson is scheduled to pitch on Saturday against the Padres.