Brewers likely to be without rookie lefty for remainder of season

The Milwaukee Brewers seem to be expecting some bad news as it relates to rookie left-handed pitcher Robert Gasser.

Gasser — a tremendous name for a lefty flamethrower — has been out since he last pitched on June 1. He missed the end of spring training with bone spurs in his left elbow, and after that June 1 start against the Chicago White Sox, the 25-year-old complained of soreness and tightness.

Gasser is receiving a third opinion on his elbow before making any rash decisions, but on Monday, manager Pat Murphy essentially ruled him out for the rest of the season while discussing injuries to fellow pitchers Brandon Woodruff and Wade Miley.

"Miley, Gasser and Woody, you're probably not going to see," Murphy said, per ESPN. "It would probably be safe to say those three are out for the year.

Ultimately, this is terrible news for both Gasser and the Brewers.

Before re-tweaking the elbow, he boasted a 2.57 ERA and 2-0 record in five starts. He was the Brewers No. 4 ranked prospect heading into 2024 after they acquired him and others in the August 2022 trade that sent Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres. Gasser was drafted 71st overall by the Padres in the 2021 MLB Draft.

Though there is the option that Gasser makes it back sometime this season, Murphy did seem pessimistic when discussing the options that are on the table.

"One doctor says get reconstruction. I don't think you say it's something that serious if in fact there isn't something wrong," Murphy explained. "With that, his option is probably to come back and do the same thing he did before, and then what are we going to get and how do we know and where's the kid's mental state going to be? He's a rookie, so I'm a little more pessimistic about that one. But I hope I'm wrong. I really do."