Gallardo may miss next start, but DL not likely
ATLANTA -- Although the Brewers will re-evaluate the status of Yovani Gallardo's sprained left ankle again on Thursday, the club is doubtful the right-hander will make his next scheduled start on May 25 against the Marlins in Miami.
"Unless he really heals fast, I don't know if he's going to be able to do it," manager Ron Roenicke said. "Tomorrow, we'll probably know a little bit more. He's got to be a lot better tomorrow if he's going to do this.
Gallardo will probably not throw his next bullpen session, which is scheduled for Thursday at Turner Field. However, the Brewers want to see how Gallardo's ankle responds to more treatment on Wednesday before saying anything definite.
Although Gallardo said his ankle felt worse on Wednesday, none of the soreness or stiffness he has experienced is unexpected. Gallardo is eager to make his next start, and is even open to taking the hill on Sunday without throwing a bullpen session if possible.
"I'm going to do everything I can to go out there and take the ball," Gallardo said. "… I'm going to get as much treatment as I can and get back out there."
Should Gallardo not take the hill for his turn at Marlins Park, Milwaukee anticipates it will be the lone start the right-hander will miss. The Brewers have no plans to send Gallardo to the disabled list.
"It doesn't sound like it would be longer than one start," Roenicke said. "We'll just have to figure who it will be if he can't do it."
One option is righty Tyler Thornburg, who threw 49 pitches during 3 2/3 innings in relief of Gallardo on Tuesday night against the Braves. Thornburg is stretched out following that long relief outing, and he owns a 2.28 ERA in 22 appearances.
However, with a bullpen hampered by injuries to left-hander Tom Gorzelanny and right-hander Jim Henderson, Roenicke is wary of simply plucking the reliable Thornburg from that stable of arms for four days following his hypothetical start.
"That was part of the reason why he pitched that extra inning yesterday," Roenicke said. "But when you do that, it really disrupts your bullpen. I don't know if right now we can afford to disrupt that bullpen that much."
Injuries and a 4.19 staff ERA through the first 18 games of May have helped Roenicke appreciate the Brewers' 2.82 ERA through the club's first 28 games.
"It doesn't take much," Roenicke said. "That's why we try to be so careful with those guys, because one disrupted outing and it really makes it hard on the others."