MILWAUKEE — In what’s become an all-too-familiar pattern this season, the Milwaukee Brewers will once again be without one of their most reliable and productive pitchers for at least the immediate future. Left-handed reliever Jared Koenig was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday morning with a left forearm injury, described as tightness.
Jared Koenig to IL with Forearm Injury
The move comes one day after Koenig’s latest dominant outing. He came on in relief of Elvis Peguero with two outs and the bases loaded in the seventh inning of Milwaukee’s 4-2 victory over the Cubs Friday night. Koenig needed one pitch to get out of the jam then came back in the eighth and struck out the side before handing the ball to closer Trevor Megill for the ninth.
After the game, manager Pat Murphy noted that Koenig’s performance was even more impressive because the 30-year-old “wasn’t feeling his best,” without elaborating. There was, however, a slight yet noticeable drop in Koenig’s fastball velocity.
“Yesterday, he wasn’t right,” Murphy said. “You could tell in warmups he didn’t seem quite right but then he’d pop a 95 (MPH). He got checked after the game. Today, it moved more towards the elbow. Scary stuff.”
After the move was announced Saturday, Koenig said the issue had been nagging him for a bit, but more so during his warmup routines than in actual game action, and that for now, at least, the injury isn’t considered to be serious. However, there won’t be a definitive answer until after he undergoes an MRI examination on Monday.
“It was on the getting-better side then it just kind of flared up again, after pitching Friday; it started tightening up,” said Koenig. “They’re not overly concerned, from what I can tell. I’m not too concerned. I think it’s just something barking. Long season. Try to be (available) for later in the season than fighting through it now.”
Koenig’s 2024 Season
Koenig has been one of the most effective options in Milwaukee’s bullpen this season. In 29 appearances, he is 7-1 with a 1.66 ERA and 1.000 WHIP. He has 36 strikeouts over 38 innings and has only allowed four of 22 inherited runners to score.
He’s also been one of the Brewers’ most versatile options. Five times this season, Murphy has sent Koenig out as an opener when opposing teams stack the top of their lineups with left-handers. He has delivered every time, allowing just three hits and a walk with six strikeouts in those outings.
“This kid’s been incredible, he’s been good all year, he’s been the unsung (member) of the pitching staff,” Murphy said. “Just the inherited runners alone is enough to make you go ‘whoa.’ It pains me.”
Koenig becomes the 11th different Brewers pitcher to land on the injured list this season. Three of them, right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) and left-handers Wade Miley and Robert Gasser, both of whom underwent Tommy John surgery, are out for the entire season.
“We’ve had so many injuries,” Murphy said. “This one hurts as bad as any of them.
“We’ll see. Hopefully, it’s nothing.”
To replace Jared Koenig after his injury, Milwaukee selected the contract of left-hander Rob Zastryzny from Triple-A Nashville. There, he went 4-0 with a 3.18 ERA and two saves in 28 appearances this season.
He will become the 32nd different pitcher and 50th different player to appear in a game for the Brewers this season when he takes the mound for the first time.
Other Injury News
— Infielder Joey Ortiz missed a third straight game due to neck stiffness. The Rookie of the Year candidate was originally in Milwaukee’s starting lineup Saturday but was scratched approximately 90 minutes before first pitch.
— Infielder Oliver Dunn is expected to miss at least a month due to a disc issue in his back. The rookie was originally optioned to Triple-A Nashville on June 19. However, that option was rescinded when he was placed on the 10-day IL on June 26.
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