Milwaukee Brewers outfielder likely to require shoulder surgery

Brewers manager Craig Counsell informed reporters, including Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, that outfielder Garrett Mitchell’s MRI revealed significant damage. 

Counsell said that while Mitchell will seek a second opinion, surgery is likely and the remainder of his season is in jeopardy. Mitchell had been placed on the 10-day injured list earlier this week with a left shoulder subluxation.

Mitchell spoke after Counsell and provided more information to reporters, including Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. He said the plan is to go see Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Monday. If it is deemed that surgery is necessary, that will take place the following day.

At this point, it is not a foregone conclusion that Mitchell will go under the knife, but it seems the most probable course of events. If it does indeed come to pass, it will be a very frustrating setback for Mitchell and the Brewers, given the promising start to his career.

Between his debut last season and the start of this year, Mitchell has appeared in 44 major league contests so far. He has struck out in a worrisome 40 percent of his plate appearances but has still managed to be productive, hitting five home runs while batting .286/.341/.462, which translates to a 121 wRC+. He has also stolen nine bases and been graded well for his defensive work in center field.

Whether Mitchell is ultimately out for the remainder of the season or some shorter timeline, the Brewers will be pressing on without him for the foreseeable future. Joey Wiemer, who had been playing right field, took over center field on Thursday and is in there again on Friday -- which would point to him having the job for at least the immediate short term.

With Tyrone Taylor also on the injured list, Brian Anderson might now be the regular right fielder. He had been playing third base, but Owen Miller and Mike Brosseau could potentially man the hot corner should Anderson shift positions. Blake Perkins is also up with the club and can provide cover at all three outfield spots. Outfield prospect Sal Frelick won’t be an option in the short term, as he has been placed on the injured list in the minors due to a thumb sprain, per Hogg.