Brewers' starting rotation set as Matt Garza goes on DL

An injury has added some clarity to the Milwaukee Brewers’ starting rotation for the time being.

Matt Garza was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Thursday with a strained right groin, leaving the Brewers with Junior Guerra, Zach Davies, Wily Peralta, Chase Anderson and Jimmy Nelson as their five starting pitchers.

Garza had been scheduled to start Friday’s exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox at Miller Park, but will now be replaced by Anderson.

This marks the second straight season Garza has opened the season on the DL after being injured in his final spring-training start. The right-hander suffered a right lat strain last April 1 in Houston and wound up missing more than two months as a result.

Garza didn’t appear to be in any discomfort after making his final start of the spring on Sunday, one that was arguably his worst after he surrendered five hits, five runs (earned) and a walk in 2 1/3 innings against Oakland. He also gave up a home run and hit a batter.

He finished the spring 1-1 with an 8.59 ERA and a WHIP of 2.18 over six starts (14 2/3 innings).

Garza is in the final year of a four-year, $50 million contract. He pitched 163 1/3, 148 2/3 and 101 2/3 innings in his first three years with Milwaukee, and was 6-8 with a 4.51 ERA in 19 starts in 2016.

There were seven pitchers vying for five spots in Milwaukee’s rotation coming into the spring including left-hander Tommy Milone. But Milone pitched poorly in his final outings, giving up 13 hits, 11 earned runs and three homers.

Manager Craig Counsell said Milone will open the season in the bullpen, giving the team one lefty pitcher. But with rosters not having to be set until Sunday, there’s a chance the Brewers could be looking to add another player from the outside.

The Brewers are likely also trying to find a way to keep right-handed reliever Rob Scahill on the team. He allowed just one run in 11 appearances this spring, but as a non-roster invitee to camp is not currently a member of the 40-man roster.

Be sure to check back with JSOnline later for an updated story including quotes from the Brewers’ Thursday night workout at Miller Park.