Brewers pitching prospect Adrian Houser ready to move forward after appendectomy setback

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

PHOENIX – No pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers organization was looking forward to big-league spring training with more anticipation than Adrian Houser, and for good reason.

The 25-year-old right-hander returned late last season from a year’s absence after undergoing Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery and showed great promise. After getting his feet back on the ground in the late going at Class A Wisconsin, Houser was assigned to the Arizona Fall League, where he impressed by throwing in the high 90s (mph).

“I was hoping to carry that into spring training,” Houser said.

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Then, a not-so-funny thing happened three weeks before camp opened. Houser was awakened at 4 a.m. by severe abdominal pain, bad enough to go to the emergency room.

“I thought it was food poisoning or something but it kept hurting really bad so I went to the hospital in Scottsdale,” said Houser, who was living in the area. “They said, ‘You have appendicitis.’ I couldn’t believe it. They operated on me and that was that.”

Instead of going full-bore at the outset of camp, Houser has had to take it easy, watching as other pitchers throw bullpen sessions. He finally was cleared to throw his first bullpen session Saturday, leaving him a week and a half behind.

In all likelihood, Houser had little chance to make the Brewers’ roster from the outset, but falling behind the other pitchers immediately was an unwelcome development.

“It’s kind of aggravating but it is what it is,” he said. “It happened, and you just move on. I think this week I’ll go back to throwing, so everything will be back to normal. I feel really good.”

Houser was one of four players acquired from Houston in July 2015 in the Carlos Gomez/Mike Fiers trade, and the other three already have made their mark with the Brewers to varying degrees – rightfielder Domingo Santana, left-hander Josh Hader and outfielder Brett Phillips.

Houser got into two games with the Brewers as a September call-up in 2015 and was pitching the next season at Class AA Biloxi when his elbow gave way. During his year of recovery and rehabilitation at the Marvyale complex, he learned it was out of sight, out of mind.

“Nobody heard of me for about a year,” he said. “That’s the way it is. When you’re rehabbing, you’re on the back burner.”

Houser was not forgotten in the organization, however. In fact, manager Craig Counsell said he is very much on the radar screen.

“The goal coming in, healthy or not, was to get him clicking for a sixth-month season,” Counsell said. “He’s a guy we think can help us during the season this year. One more, not a big step but a little step, puts him in the conversation for a spot on our staff this year.

“The big thing is he is without limits this year. After surgery, you’re sort in protective mode. To be considered for the big leagues, you have to take that protection away and be ready to go. Adrian’s pretty close.”

Houser was a starting pitcher before his elbow surgery but likely will be brought back slowly in a relief role. The Brewers followed that plan last year with Taylor Williams, who is back to full strength and throwing the ball well in spring camp.

“They haven’t said anything specific,” Houser said. “I’d like to be a starter because that’s what I’ve always done but if I can get outs in the big leagues, I’ll take it either way. I’m sure at some point they will let me know.”

Having gone through much more than an appendectomy, Houser is shaking off that road bump and looking forward to a healthy 2018.

“I’m very excited about this year,” he said. “I can’t wait to get started. I had that little setback but that’s OK. I’m ready to get going.”