In a shocking turn of events, the Milwaukee Brewers have placed star left-hander Nestor Cortes on the 15-day injured list due to a flexor strain in his throwing elbow. This setback is particularly concerning as it marks the second time in just eight months that Cortes has been sidelined with a flexor strain—he previously dealt with a similar issue while playing for the New York Yankees.

Cortes did manage to perform admirably in his last start, delivering six innings of shutout baseball against the Reds on April 3. However, reports surfaced that he had been experiencing elbow discomfort leading up to that game. Brewers assistant general manager Matt Kleine reassured reporters that the flexor strain isn't expected to pose a long-term problem. Nevertheless, Cortes is opting to seek a second opinion to ensure that the injury is not more serious than it appears.

This injury has compounded the Brewers' pitching woes, with Cortes being the seventh starting pitcher to land on their already crowded injured list. The team has faced a significant battle with pitching health just over a week into the season. Key injuries include:

Key Injuries

- Tobias Myers and Aaron Ashby, both of whom sustained oblique strains during Spring Training.

- Aaron Civale, who made only one regular-season start before a hamstring strain put him on the IL.

- Brandon Woodruff, starting the season on the 15-day IL as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery.

- DL Hall, on the 60-day IL following a lat strain, and Robert Gasser, who is rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery from last June.

With all these absences, Freddy Peralta stands as the lone healthy member of the Brewers’ projected starting rotation. To cope, the team must rely on Tyler Alexander, Elvin Rodriguez, and Chad Patrick—who would ideally serve as multi-inning relief pitchers but are now tasked with starting. Additionally, Rule 5 Draft pick Connor Thomas may step up for a couple of starts during Cortes’ absence, while new addition Grant Wolfram takes his place in the bullpen.

Cortes' acquisition was a significant move during the Brewers' offseason, coming in a blockbuster trade with the Yankees. Along with Cortes, the Brewers received infielder Caleb Durbin and cash considerations, while sending Devin Williams to New York. Both players are poised for free agency soon, but it was believed that Cortes would provide needed rotation stability moving forward. However, this latest injury has now cast doubt on that strategy, putting Milwaukee's World Series aspirations in jeopardy.

On a brighter note, the promotion of Grant Wolfram is an exciting development. The 28-year-old lefty is on the verge of making his Major League debut after spending his whole career in the Rangers’ farm system. Drafted in the 18th round in 2018, Wolfram showed promise with a 3.34 ERA and impressive strikeout rate during his time in Triple-A. His new opportunity could inject some fresh energy into a beleaguered pitching staff.

As the Brewers navigate these challenges, the organization will be closely monitoring Cortes' recovery, hoping that he can return to form before missing significant time. With the season just starting, the stakes couldn't be higher for both Cortes and the Brewers as they aim for baseball's ultimate prize. Could this injury derail their championship hopes? Stay tuned!