Corey Knebel injury update: Brewers reliever will miss 2019 season after Tommy John surgery

Arthur Weinstein

Corey Knebel injury update: Brewers reliever will miss 2019 season after Tommy John surgery image

Brewers reliever Corey Knebel has decided to have Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2019 season, MLB.com reported Friday.

The 2017 All-Star had been dealing with a damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow since 2014, when he was a member of the Tigers. He had not pitched in spring training since March 17, when he reported discomfort in the elbow.

After consulting with several doctors, he opted for surgery, which is set for next week.

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"The not knowing is the tough part," Knebel told reporters Thursday, before he made his decision. "Once the decision's made, then it’ll be full go with whatever the decision is."

Knebel, 27, had 16 saves and a 3.58 ERA in 57 games last season for the Brewers. While he will be missed, the Brewers have one of the two or three deepest bullpens in baseball, with Josh Hader and Jeremy Jeffress. Jeffress, however, is sidelined with shoulder soreness and is not expected to be available for "multiple weeks," Milwaukee general manager David Stearns told reporters Thursday.

"We've had some injuries in our bullpen; they've all been in the same place," manager Craig Counsell said. "That changes the composition and how we think about our bullpen, and it provides opportunities for guys. We're going to go into it undefined a little bit."

Arthur Weinstein