Wade Miley to Undergo Tommy John Surgery, Further Testing Brewers Rotation Depth

[Jack Stern]

The Brewers' pitching staff just absorbed another blow with the news that Wade Miley will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of the season. The loss further complicates the club's innings puzzle and puts even more strain on its pitching depth.

Image courtesy of © MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK

The hits keep coming for the Brewers’ pitching staff. Wade Miley, who hit the injured list earlier this week with left elbow inflammation, revealed on Friday that he will undergo Tommy John surgery in the coming days to repair damage to his UCL.

“It sucks,” Miley said in the Milwaukee clubhouse before the series opener against the New York Yankees. “But at the end of the day, it’s always a possibility, especially for pitchers, that it can happen.”

At 37 years old, a major elbow injury may not seem like a great prognosis for Miley’s future as a player, but he expressed some optimism about a potential return to the mound in 10 to 12 months.

“I’ve kind of always said I want to go out on my own [terms]. I still feel like I got more in the tank.”

Miley also disclosed that he has pitched through elbow pain since 2019. He sees the UCL repair as a potential opportunity to pitch pain-free for the first time in years.

It’s the latest blow for a staff already short starters Brandon Woodruff, Jakob Junis, and DL Hall and relievers Devin Williams, J.B. Bukauskas, and Taylor Clarke. The Brewers re-signed Miley to a one-year deal in December to help stabilize an inexperienced rotation. Instead, they will receive just seven innings from him in 2024.

The Brewers still have enough pitching depth to succeed without Miley. Tobias Myers impressed in his MLB debut in Pittsburgh on Tuesday and will start again on Sunday. He could receive a prolonged opportunity in the rotation. Prospect Robert Gasser returned from the minor-league injured list and threw four innings for Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday. He could be ready to debut after another tune-up outing.

Still, the cupboard is starting to run thin, and more inexperienced arms are being asked to fill new roles. The challenges are mounting for Pat Murphy as he tries to cover innings each night.

“There’s a limit to depth,” Murphy said. “We’re having to fill in with guys that we had no idea would be in the big leagues.”

As the Brewers try to backfill Miley’s spot in the rotation, he’ll still be there to provide value in any way he can off the field.

“I love the clubhouse atmosphere we have right now,” he said. “Just being able to help the younger guys, or help whoever, you know? If they got a question, be there for them and just find ways to be somewhat impactful without being able to play.”

“He’ll do anything he can to help the Brewers this year,” Murphy said. “And believe me, he will help.”

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