Every time Yovani Gallardo and Manny Para take the mound during spring training, Milwaukee Brewers' fans hold their breath a little bit. After making the playoffs for the first time in 26 seasons last year, the Brewer faithful know this year's success rests on the untested arms of these young pitchers.
So when word came out Monday that Trevor Hoffman would be sidelined with an injury, Brewers fans had to cring a bit. The one position where the Crew cannot afford to have doubt is in the pitching staff. And even though Hoffman was the closer, any news that may interupt the balance of the Milwaukee pitching is unwelcome.
Filling in for Hoffman while he recouperates will be Carlos Villanueva. Villanueva open the season last year as a starter but finished as the club long reliever. His absence in that role, could mean that the staring rotation of Gallardo, Dave Bush, Para, Braden Looper and Jeff Suppan, might need to take on more innings earlier in the season.
And that may not be a good thing for the oft injured Gallardo, who in two years has not thrown a complete season for Milwaukee. Gallardo, though, came back from a knee injury late last year to help pitch the Brewers into the playoffs and so far has pitched well in spring training despite two bad outings.
But until Gallardo proves he can go the entire season, Brewers' fans will be anxiously watching the wire knowing full well the difference between success this season and a return to subpar baseball maybe just an injury away.
Keywords: Braden Looper, Dave Bush, Jeff Suppan, Manny Para, Milwaukee Brewers, NL Central Preview, Trevor Hoffman Injury, Yovani Gallardo
