Milwaukee Brewers: Matt Garza to undergo shoulder surgery

Former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Matt Garza was considered a possible buy low option in free agency. Now his career is in question.

Matt Garza had a rough time as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. He had been a solid, if unspectacular starting pitcher, known for his ability to take the ball every fifth day and deliver a solid outing. When Milwaukee inked Garza to a four year deal worth $50 million, they had hoped that he would be would be the answer to their pitching woes.

Although Garza had a strong start to his tenure in Milwaukee, he struggled over his last three seasons. Over the course of his time with the Brewers, Garza posted a 26-39 record, along with a 4.65 ERA and a 1.410 WHiP. The former workhorse only had one season with over 150 innings, as injuries took their toll.

It turns out that those injuries may have been more troublesome than originally thought. He is set to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, leaving Garza’s future in doubt. This injury was originally sustained back in June, when he collided with first baseman Jesus Aguilar. Garza was placed on the disabled list at the time, but came back ten days later.

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Garza had continued to pitch well as he continued on through the injury. He had a 5-5 record with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.250 WHiP in his first 16 starts. Then, everything fell apart, as he lost his spot in the rotation in September. He continued to struggle to close out the year, posting a miserable 9.11 ERA and a 2.100 WHiP in his final 26.2 innings in 2017.

However, that strong start to the season led to the hope that Garza could be a bounceback candidate. For a team looking for a low cost option in the back of the rotation, a veteran like Garza would have been a solid option. If healthy, he could eat up innings and serve as a mentor to the younger pitchers, perhaps even serve as a trade chip at the deadline.

Instead of looking for his next contract, Garza is facing the possibility that he has thrown his last pitch in the majors. He is set to undergo the same procedure that former Brewers teammate Jimmy Nelson had, which will result in his missing a large chunk of the 2018 campaign. If Garza is going to miss the entire 2018 campaign with the injury and rehab, as seems likely, is it worth attempting to make a comeback at 35 years old in 2019?

Next: Brewers sign Bethancourt to minor league deal

Former Milwaukee Brewers starter Matt Garza was a solid pitcher throughout much of his career. That career may be over due to an injury he suffered back in June, the extent of which is only now being realized.