Davies to miss start with oblique strain
PHOENIX - Right-hander Zach Davies will miss his next spring start with a strained left oblique muscle but Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday he still expected the 17-game winner from 2017 to be ready for the start of the season.
“As of this point, it’s not (expected to impact the season),” Counsell said. “It’s minor. We’re being cautious with it.”
Counsell said Davies reported discomfort in his left side after his outing Saturday against Colorado at Salt River Fields. Davies pitched two innings that day, allowing two hits and one run, a home run by David Dahl.
Davies would have pitched next on Thursday but that turn will be skipped. Instead, he will test the oblique with a bullpen session Friday. If that goes well, Davies likely would start again on Tuesday against Texas.
“He had a good day today playing catch,” Counsell said. “We didn’t have to really shut him down. This is a cautious thing more than anything. He’s on track to make his next start.”
Counsell has not announced how he will align his first three pitchers to open the season. Davies, Chase Anderson and newcomer Jhoulys Chacin have been identified as the first three pitchers, with the other two spots up for grabs in camp.
Davies was one of the top winners in the majors last season, going 17-9 with a 3.90 earned run average. He was the only Brewers starter not to miss a turn, making 33 starts and pitching 191 1/3 innings.