I think we all realize that this is bad, bad news for the Brewers. To replace Gallardo in the rotation the answer is simple; we have a major league starter in Dave Bush that has already been recalled from AAA Nashville. But what if (when) Ben Sheets goes down? Jeff Weaver? Zach Jackson? That also leaves us with Jeff Suppan as our de facto ace. A guy with a career 4.62 average as our #1 starter? We are in big trouble.
But let's just say that Sheets stays healthy the whole season. As I am continually reminded, it's a contract year, maybe he'll push through injuries that might have resulted in a DL stint in other years. Either way, the rest of the guys need to step it up. From everything that Carlos Villanueva and Manny Parra have shown in the past, both in the majors and minors, they are better than what they've given us so far this year. Very few players are at their best right out of spring training, so I'm not worried yet. Dave Bush, on the other hand, has rarely shown us anything very good. But he's a guy that you can always count on to go out there every 5 days, and he did lead the Brewers in wins the last two years. How, I'm not sure, but I guess it's the results that matter.
But as I continue to tell myself, Gallardo is young and you know it is killing him to not be out there pitching. I'm hoping this will speed up his recovery process and he could possibly be back for a September playoff push. I just hope this injury doesn't kill the Brewers morale as the injury to Ben Sheets last year seemed to do. I hope the whole team is actually motivated by this. They all need to step it up, both the hitters and the pitchers, if they want to have a chance to beat the Cubbies and the Cardinals and still be in this come September.
Go Brewers, and long live Ben Sheets' shoulder, back, ear, and fingers!
