The Milwaukee Brewers already knew that the playoff push and the postseason itself would not include Jimmy Nelson. According to general manager David Stearns, Nelson will miss part of 2018, as well.
“The best-case scenario Jimmy told you guys was the doctor goes in there and it’s a relatively minor procedure, and he has the potential to be back at the front end of next year. That obviously we don’t think is going to be the case; we do think he is going to miss a chunk of next year,” Stearns said, via Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “But on the plus side, we do think he’s going to be able to pitch in the major leagues for us at some point next year. We don’t know exactly when, but we’ll see how the rehab goes.”
Adam McCalvy of MLB.com offered some reason for optimism, as well.
Absolutely justifiable concern. But working in his favor, it was not a throwing injury; the partial labrum tear was in a different spot. https://t.co/slsjNgseVK
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) September 20, 2017
Before his season came to its premature end, the 28-year-old Nelson was enjoying the best year of his career. In 175.1 innings, he had a 12-6 record, 3.49 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 199 strikeouts, which were all career-best totals.