NEW YORK – Brewers starter Dustin May’s very first pitch Wednesday came screaming back at him at 106 mph off the bat of Mets leadoff hitter A.J. Ewing, leading to May’s exit on a day Milwaukee’s bullpen was stretched thin.
Ewing’s line drive appeared to strike May on the right side of his upper back before caroming to third baseman David Hamilton, who threw to first for an out. May doubled over in discomfort and remained on the mound for some time with head athletic trainer Brad Epstein and Brewers coaches in an effort to stay in the game. But he ultimately departed in favor of left-hander Robert Gasser.
X-rays were negative, and later in the game the Brewers announced May's injury as a right scapula contusion -- otherwise known as a bruised shoulder blade.
Gasser last started for the Brewers on Thursday and is making his first appearance out of the bullpen this season. He was scheduled to make his next start on Sunday against the Rangers at home, so the Brewers may have to juggle their pitching plans.
Their more immediate concern was May, the 28-year-old right-hander acquired by the Brewers at the Trade Deadline from the Cardinals along with lefty reliever JoJo Romero. May was 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA in his first three Milwaukee starts, though the numbers were inflated by a two-inning, seven-run dud against the Mariners his last time out.