Espino to take Garza’s turn
First start was in raw conditions at Wrigley
Right-hander Paolo Espino won’t have to wait as long for his second major-league start as he did for the first.
Espino, 30, will make his second spot start of the season for the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday against San Francisco in place of Matt Garza, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a bruised chest. Garza suffered that injury during a collision with first baseman Jesús Aguilar in his last start Saturday.
After more than 10 years in the minors, including seven-plus at the Class AAA level, Espino made his MLB debut on May 19 in Chicago, pitching on a cold, windy, rainy day at Wrigley Field. He went four innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs in a game the Brewers won, 6-3.
In nine starts at Colorado Springs, Espino has gone 4-1 with a 3.26 earned run average.
“The one thing about Espino is I’m glad he’s going to be able to pitch on a more normal weather day," manager Craig Counsell said. "That was a very difficult day to pitch. The wind was blowing in, which pitchers love, but there were conditions that were difficult for both sides.
“He’ll make our start tomorrow and we’ll see what happens going forward.”
There is a chance Garza can slip back in the rotation after missing just one turn, thanks to a day off on the schedule Monday. The Brewers do have a daynight makeup doubleheader Tuesday in St. Louis, so they will need two starters that day.
“I think Matt is going to be close to that,” Counsell said. “We’ll know more after this weekend. We’re hoping to have him back at some point next week, so it will be a short-term thing.
“It really involves Matt, more than anything. He’s the moving piece in this. The day off gives us some flexibility as far as the starters being on regular rest. I’d like to use the off day to give them an extra day. We’ll see how that works out.”
Garza had to cut short a bullpen session Tuesday because of soreness and tightness but expects to be fine the next time he is needed.
“I just couldn’t get down and away (with pitches) with authority,” he said. “I was just stiff. They didn’t want me to push it. (The rotation) is in such a good spot, I don’t want to be a guy that brings a negative outcome out of this. I’m just trying to slide right back into my (regular) day. That’s the plan.”
The Brewers will have to make a player move before the game Thursday to activate Espino because Garza was replaced on the roster by third baseman Travis Shaw, who returned from paternity leave.