Brewers Cautious with Jacob Misiorowski in First Start After Layoff

In a careful approach to managing Jacob Misiorowski’s return from a layoff, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy emphasized the need to monitor the young pitcher’s workload following the All-Star break. Misiorowski took the mound for the first time since July 7, working just four innings in an 8-3 victory over the New York Mets. This decision came after he was scratched from a scheduled start on July 12 due to arm fatigue, a setback that sidelined him from participating in the All-Star Game despite his selection for the second consecutive year.

“I think we take that as kind of a reset,” Murphy remarked before the game, highlighting the importance of building Misiorowski back up while being mindful of his condition. The 24-year-old right-hander demonstrated his impressive skills, striking out six while allowing only one unearned run on four hits and a walk. Notably, 26 of his 65 pitches reached speeds of at least 100 mph, with a remarkable top speed of 104 mph on a first-inning fastball to Juan Soto.

Murphy clarified that the decision to limit Misiorowski to four innings was not merely a precautionary measure but also a response to his performance. “We would have probably let him go further if his delivery and his legs felt great,” he explained. “I think he was a little bit out of it. The long layoff kind of affected his delivery and everything else. I think it was important to notice that and get him out of there then. The velo dropped. He couldn’t find the rhythm on his heater and went to off-speed stuff.”

Misiorowski himself acknowledged the challenge of pitching after a lengthy absence. “Of course,” he admitted. “I felt like I wasn’t in my legs as well as I should have been, but I felt halfway decent. Good enough.” As the Brewers navigate Misiorowski’s first full season in the majors, they remain cautious, particularly given his workload this year, which has already reached 115 innings.

With the Brewers owning the best record in the major leagues at 63-37 and leading the Chicago Cubs by seven games in the NL Central, Misiorowski’s health is crucial for their postseason aspirations. He has been exceptional this season, not allowing an earned run in eight of his last 13 starts, and boasts a 9-2 record with a stunning 0.87 ERA during that stretch. His dominance is underscored by leading the majors with a 1.57 ERA and 173 strikeouts.

Looking ahead, Misiorowski expressed optimism about his ability to pitch longer in his next start. “The offseason last year, we focused on legs and doing all that stuff to get myself ready for this track of the year,” he said. “I feel good where I’m at. Ready to go.” As the Brewers continue their pursuit of a deep postseason run, they will undoubtedly keep a close eye on their star pitcher’s progress.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.