LOS ANGELES – Ace setup man Abner Uribe landed on the 15-day injured list before Friday's game at Dodger Stadium with a right forearm strain, the latest in a spate of setbacks for the hobbled Brewers, who probably wish they could press pause on the season to get healthy as they try to hold on to the top record in the National League.
Uribe, a right-hander with a 2.05 ERA and the top Baseball Reference WAR (1.9) among Brewers relievers this season, threw 55 pitches over consecutive extended innings in victories over the Twins on Aug. 8-9 and didn’t bounce back well in the days that followed. When that feeling persisted late into the week, the Brewers ordered an MRI scan that confirmed a forearm flexor strain instead of more ominous structural damage.
The Brewers believe Uribe’s IL stint will be on the minimum side. He was able to play catch the past two days.
“He wasn’t feeling good, and at this time of year, you can’t ask guys to ‘step on it’ any more,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “So we’re taking this as a needed rest, but also a healthy precaution. The MRI came back ‘positive,’ but that doesn’t mean he isn’t susceptible right now. We have to take every precaution. He’s that important.”
The Brewers called up experienced right-hander Grant Anderson to take Uribe’s place on the active roster and will rely on others like left-hander Aaron Ashby or right-handers Chad Patrick or Antonio Senzatela for high-leverage work in front of closer Trevor Megill. The Brewers acquired Senzatela at the Trade Deadline with high hopes, but his Brewers career is off to a rocky start, as he’s allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits in 3 2/3 innings over his first five appearances for Milwaukee.
Because the Brewers backdated Uribe’s IL stint to Aug. 11, he will be eligible for reinstatement beginning Aug. 26 against the Mets.
His absence continued a tough stretch on the health front for the Brewers, who remained without Platinum Glove Award-winning second baseman Brice Turang, who missed a second straight game with left knee pain but still hopes to avoid the IL, and shortstop Cooper Pratt (hamstring) and right fielder Sal Frelick (shoulder), who are on the IL.
Turang remains day to day and Murphy offered encouraging updates Friday about Frelick and Pratt. Frelick, after beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville as a designated hitter, made his first start in the outfield on Friday and marked the occasion with a three-run home run. If his arm checks out, Frelick could rejoin the Brewers on their upcoming homestand. Pratt, meanwhile, has made good progress in recent days and should be ready to begin his rehab assignment as soon as Tuesday.
“Everyone you mentioned didn’t play in the game [Thursday] night,” said Uribe, referring to the Brewers’ season-opening win over the Dodgers. “And it was still a very exciting comeback win. So, yeah, I’m not going to lie to you -- you want to be out there, and it does bother you in that sense. But I think the team’s equipped to continue to handle themselves.”