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Milwaukee Brewers’ Matt Garza Out Four to Six Weeks With Lat Strain

By Nick Fustor

Aug 17, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Matt Garza (22) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Matt Garza (22) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Milwaukee Brewers starter Matt Garza could miss over a month with a lat strain, delaying what he hoped would be a bounce-back season.

Milwaukee Brewers right-handed starting pitcher Matt Garza announced he will miss at least four to six weeks with a strained lat muscle, per Tom Haudricort of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via MLB Trade Rumors.  Over the past few weeks, Garza said he had been dealing with some tightness but wasn’t anticipating a serious issue.

In his second season with the Brewers, Garza struggled tremendously, as he posted a 5.63 ERA and 1.57 WHIP while seeing his walks per nine innings inflate to 3.45.  Coming off a solid first season with Milwaukee, Garza seemingly never figured things out last year and subsequently lost his spot in the starting rotation late in the season.

Zach Davies will likely take Garza’s rotation spot. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Davies will likely take Garza’s rotation spot. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

The Brewers won’t need to worry about deciding on a new fifth starter just yet, as their schedule gives them enough off days to survive with four starters for the next week or so, as MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy tweeted.  After that, the team will likely turn to young right-hander Zach Davies.  In six starts with the team last season, the 25-year-old posted a solid 3.71 ERA, but struggled with command as he only managed a 3.97 BB/9.

At 32 and in the third year of a four-year, $50 million contract, Garza will need to rebound quickly in order to make the Brewers’ investment at least somewhat worth it.  With Taylor Jungmann, Jimmy Nelson, Wily Peralta and Chase Anderson poised to lead the rotation going forward, Garza was expected to work as a de facto ace as the team looks to develop its young core of pitchers.

The team promoted righty Tyler Cravy to take Garza’s roster spot, but he’ll likely provide bullpen depth after the team lost potential closer Will Smith to a season-ending UCL tear.  While it’s a rebuilding year for the Brewers, the Garza injury only adds a cloud of mystery to his future with the team. If he can’t come back strong, the team will have a serious dilemma.

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As it stands now, Garza is likely to return in late May or early June, but with significant injury concerns in the past, the rest of his season could face some level of uncertainty.

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