Brewers Pitchers Quintana, Megill face hitters in Simulated Games as postseason Approaches
MILWAUKEE – Brewers pitchers José Quintana and Trevor Megill threw to hitters Friday as Milwaukee continues to evaluate its pitching options ahead of the postseason. Quintana and Megill are both returning from injuries, adding uncertainty to the team’s plans for the NL Division Series.
Quintana threw 45 pitches, completing the equivalent of three innings, while Megill worked through one inning’s worth of pitches.
“I thought Quintana looked fantastic,” said Brewers manager Pat Murphy.
Quintana has been sidelined wiht an injured left calf and last pitched for the Brewers on September 14. Megill, an All-Star closer, is recovering from a right flexor strain and last appeared in a game on August 24.
Due to Megill’s extended absence, the Brewers are hoping to get him into a game this weekend before the postseason begins. Murphy stated that megill’s chances of pitching this weekend will depend on how he feels Saturday.
The Brewers have already clinched their third consecutive NL Central title, but injuries to key pitchers, including Brandon Woodruff (right lat strain), have created questions about the postseason rotation beyond Freddy Peralta and Quinn priester. Woodruff’s postseason status remains unclear.
Quintana is 11-7 with a 3.96 ERA this season. He has postseason experiance, going 0-1 with a 3.14 ERA in three starts for the New York Mets last season. Prior to his injury, Quintana allowed 17 runs over his last four starts.
Rookie Jacob Misiorowski, despite a strong start to his career and an All-Star selection, has struggled as returning from the injured list in mid-August, allowing 21 runs over 30 innings. Murphy has indicated Misiorowski is unlikely to be a Game 3 starter, but doesn’t envision him as a short-relief option, preferring to maintain his starting-pitcher workload.
The Brewers plan to test this by having Misiorowski pitch multiple innings in relief this weekend, potentially following starter robert Gasser, who is making his second major league appearance of the season after recovering from Tommy John surgery, on Saturday.
“I think he’s an vital piece,” Murphy said. “I think he’s got huge upside and he’s got huge possibilities, huge possibilities for us.”
