Anderson will pitch on short rest
Rather than having trepidation about making a start on short rest, Chase Anderson said Tuesday he looked forward to the opportunity.
“It’s a blessing to be in this spot,” the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander said. “I think it’ll take a ‘good toll’ on me. I think it’ll be really good for us. I’m looking forward to it.”
Rather than summon a pitcher from the minors, give struggling Matt Garza another chance or just make it a bullpen day, the Brewers decided to pitch Anderson on short rest Wednesday against Pittsburgh in the rotation spot left open by a season-ending shoulder injury to Jimmy Nelson.
Anderson went only five innings, throwing 67 pitches, Saturday in Chicago as the Brewers had the luxury of pulling him early with a huge lead in what became a 15-2 victory. Without that short outing, manager Craig Counsell would not have tabbed Anderson for the start.
“It was a spur-of-themoment decision (to remove him), with all the runs we scored,” Counsell said. “Just seeing how he responded, he feels good to go and is in position to do it.”
Asked about the risk of sending Anderson out on short rest, Counsell said, “Anytime we do something different, you’re going to ask the questions. But, with Jimmy’s injury, we’ve talked about risks and being flexible. We’re doing some different things to get through this.
“It’s on three days rest. That’s not normal. We caught a break in that he threw very few pitches on Saturday, that allowed us to consider doing. We think he’s the best guy for the start on Wednesday.”
This will be the first time in the majors Anderson has pitched on short rest from one start to the next. Last season, after leaving a game in Chicago after being hit on the leg by a liner, he pitched two innings of relief three days later and then made a start against Colorado three days after that. He went five innings, allowing three runs in a 6-4 victory.
In anticipation of starting on short rest, Anderson skipped a bullpen session he normally would have had Monday between outings.
“I think the mentality is still the same but the routine is a little different in between, to try and keep you recovered so you can pitch on short rest,” he said. “You kind of change the throwing program a little bit to keep the arm healthy.
“Last Saturday wasn’t very much stress, easy innings, though you never want to say ‘easy’ against the Cubs. I felt good getting out of that outing with 60-some pitches in five innings. I think it’s going to be a good thing.”
With less than three weeks remaining in the season and a playoff berth at stake, the Brewers are in scramble mode with their rotation. Lefty Brent Suter started Tuesday in the spot previously occupied by Garza, and now Anderson goes on short rest, necessitating more flexibility going forward.
“We may switch some things around with that, also,” Counsell said. “We can’t change the number of starts those guys are going to have. We can mess with the days a little bit. We’re trying to figure out the best way to get through these games. Somebody that’s not on the team (currently) could figure into another start.
“That’s how we have to operate right now. You try to use the best plan with the information you have on this day.”
As for what the loss of Nelson and ensuing scramble does to the Brewers’ playoff chances, Anderson said, “We just want to try to get in the postseason and get a chance to get into the playoffs. Then, you only really need three (starters) once you get there. The key is getting there first, and we’ll take it from there.
“It’s going to be a little bit of a challenge with Jimmy down because he was having a breakout season. We’re going to miss him, no matter what, but we have some guys who can step up and we’re going to have to have guys step up to get us into position of playing October baseball.”
Exam scheduled: Counsell said Nelson went to Los Angeles for a second opinion Wednesday on his shoulder at the renowned Kerlan-Jobe Clinic.
“He’ll be closer to being able to make a decision on what’s next after tomorrow,” Counsell said.
Nelson likely is facing surgery to repair an anterior labrum tear in his shoulder, suffered when making a head-first dive back into first base after collecting a hit Friday in Chicago. He also suffered a rotator cuff strain, but that alone would heal without surgery.