Brewers lefty Robert Gasser he has received two opinions – one from the team’s medical staff, the other from a well-known surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache – on his sick left elbow and will meet Dr. Keith Meister to get a third opinion, according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Gasser told the Brewers beat this weekend that his ulnar ligament is “not as tight as it should be” but also “not torn.” ElAttrache recommended surgery, Gasser explained, but more out of concern for stability than immediate damage repair. ElAttrache also told Gasser that non-surgical reconstruction may be a viable option because the tendon is not currently torn.
Understandably, it seems that Gasser would prefer to avoid going under the knife if possible. Surgery is the last resort in these cases, and as Gasser himself says of the two opinions he’s received so far: “They both said I could do a reconstruction.” I’m just trying to figure out what the best move is. “
Any type of UCL surgery — be it Tommy John surgery, an internal brace procedure or a combination of the two — will wipe out the remainder of Gasser’s season. A full Tommy John or a Tommy John/internal brace hybrid will keep Gasser out through at least the end of the 2025 season. A solid internal brace without a full UCL reconstruction could get him back on the mound before then.
As we are now in the middle of June, perhaps there is some additional merit to the non-surgical route – depending on the type of surgery being considered. Recovery from Tommy John surgery or that hybrid procedure will come with a 12- to 16-month recovery window, and most cases fall toward the end of that range. Hypothetically speaking, if the realistic scenario of rehab has Gasser coming back in mid-to-late August next season anyway, he could look at the rest-and-rehabilitate route as an effective risk in the final six weeks of next year for a chance to get it all out. 2025 season.
Whatever path Gasser takes, he is in for a long absence from Milwaukee’s rotation. It’s an important matchup, given the lefty’s strong results so far in his first campaign and the wave of other injuries Milwaukee has dealt. In his first five starts, the 25-year-old Gasser has pitched to a 2.57 ERA in 28 innings of work.
Gasser, acquired from the Padres in 2022 Josh Hader trade, entered this season ranked among the best prospects in the Brewers organization. His 14% strikeout rate in the majors is pretty low for problems, but he’s made up for that so far with Maddux-esque accuracy, issuing just one walk. one 114 batters he faced. Both of those estimate figures can change with a larger sample; the southpaw struck out 28% of his Triple-A opponents and walked 8.4% of them in 135 innings in 2023.
From a team perspective, the Brewers will be out Brandon Woodruff the rest of the season as he recovers from shoulder surgery last October. Left hand Wade Miley it was done a year after Tommy John surgery last month. Each of the Jacob Junis, Joe Ross again DL Hall he is currently on the injured list. That’s left with the Brewers Freddy Peralta, Colin Rea, Bryse Wilson again Tobias Myers in circulation. Milwaukee may turn to giving hope Carlos Rodriguez to take the ball tomorrow.
Regardless of what happens with Gasser, starting pitching will likely be the focus in Milwaukee as next month’s trade deadline approaches. Their depth is already stretched too thin, and any further damage would be difficult to overcome. Despite all their injuries, the Brewers are the only NL Central club with a winning record and currently hold a 6.5 game lead over the Reds and Cubs (both are tied at 32-34 on the season). Even if the division looks to be successful at the moment, they will still need to strengthen the rotation for the postseason.
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