Brewers facing key pitching decisions
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Brewers have some important pitching decisions to make in the coming days.
Lefty Tom Gorzelanny missed his last turn after being struck on the pitching elbow by a line drive. But he threw a bullpen session Wednesday with minimal discomfort and thinks he can make his next turn Saturday in Seattle.
Next week, the Brewers also expect to get back right-hander Yovani Gallardo, who has been on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Milwaukee already has needed 11 starting pitchers due to an avalanche of injuries.
"I know one thing - I have to really stay on top of who's starting, because it changes so much," manager Ron Roenicke said. "I like the routine of knowing when we're going into a city how we're set up and this year, it's like, 'Who's pitching again this series?' It's because we've had to change so much."
Gallardo, who appears to be on track to rejoin the rotation immediately after his 15 days on the DL are up next Thursday, summed up all the shuffling the Brewers have had to do this season because of injuries.
"It sucks," he said. "It definitely sucks."
Whenever he re-enters the rotation, Gorzelanny will continue to audition for 2014, just like many of the team's other players.
Roenicke said earlier this week the club is entertaining thoughts of keeping the veteran left-hander as a starter. Gorzelanny signed a two-year contract with the Brewers last December.
Gorzelanny has started 117 games in his nine-year career, including his six starts for the Brewers this season, and is 36-45 overall with a 4.55 ERA. In 114 career relief appearances, Gorzelanny is 10-4 with a 3.11 ERA.
"When I signed here it was a possibility for me to be a starter, but beyond the rest of this year for next year we haven't had a formal discussion about anything," said Gorzelanny. "I'm just kind of doing what they want me to do now.
"If they need me to start, I'll tell them right now. If that's the case, that'll be great. Starting is the ultimate for being a pitcher. You want to be the guy in control of the game and be a part of a win. Every time you go out there, that's the ultimate goal.
"It's what I've done most of my career, and I did very well at it for a while. I feel there's still a lot left in me to prove, and I feel I can do good things as a starter again."
The Brewers got one starter back from the DL on Wednesday when Marco Estrada pitched for the first time in two months. Estrada, who had been sidelined with a hamstring strain, tossed five shutout innings in a 6-1 win over the Giants.
