Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson is finally ready to make his return to the rotation, as his long trip back to the majors is complete.
It has been a long road back to the majors for Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson. After undergoing labrum surgery after injuring his shoulder in September 2017, Nelson was expected to return around the All Star Break in 2018. Instead, that day kept getting pushed back, as he missed the entire 2018 campaign, and the first couple of months this season.
On Wednesday, Nelson’s 30th birthday, he will finally make his return to the majors. With Gio Gonzalez and Jhoulys Chacin on the Injured List, Nelson is set to return to the majors.
The Brewers will call up Jimmy Nelson to start Wednesday against the Marlins at Miller Park. His long road back from shoulder surgery is almost over.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) June 2, 2019
Nelson has put together relatively solid numbers in his time in AAA. Over his five outings, including four starts, spanning 24 innings, Nelson has posted a 3.75 ERA and a 1.250 WHiP, striking out 29 batters, but also issued 12 walks.
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Obviously, the Brewers are hoping that Nelson can be close to the pitcher he was before his injury in 2017. That year, he ascended to being a viable front of the rotation starter, posting a 3.49 ERA and a 1.249 WHiP in his 175.1 innings. That year, he struck out 199 batters while issuing only 48 walks, an impressive turnaround after leading the league in free passes during the previous season.
With the Brewers clinging to the lead in the NL Central, getting even 80% of the pitcher that Nelson was could make a tremendous difference. Of course, the Brewers are likely to manage Nelson’s innings, which could limit the impact that he has this year.
Nonetheless, he is still likely to be an upgrade at the back of the rotation. Chacin, who was a surprising asset for Milwaukee last season, has not come close to replicating his success. Meanwhile, Freddy Peralta has been inconsistent, leaving the back of the rotation as a major question mark. Even with that possible innings limit, Nelson will be an upgrade.
Jimmy Nelson is about to come back from the Milwaukee Brewers, and it could not happen soon enough.