Kyle Harrison gave the Brewers everything they could have asked for on Wednesday - until his legs forced the issue.
Milwaukee pulled its starter after five innings against the Pirates because of cramping in both calves, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. The right-hander had been dominant before exiting, fanning eight straight batters on his way to 10 strikeouts over five innings while allowing just one hit. At the time he left, the Brewers were ahead 3-0.
“The Brewers announce that he left the game with cramping in both calves,” Nightengale reported.
The timing of the exit naturally set off alarm bells after Harrison’s last start came on July 8, when he went on the injured list with an arm injury. After a return that featured five sharp innings, some Brewers fans worried the problem might be more serious than a simple leg cramp. For Milwaukee, though, the calf issue is a far better outcome than another arm setback.
The Brewers could still need depth if Harrison is sidelined again. They added Dustin May from the Cardinals ahead of Monday’s trade deadline, and that move may suddenly matter a lot. Brandon Sproat is not an immediate answer after being sent down to the minors following a rough start on Monday.
Harrison arrived from the Boston Red Sox in the Caleb Durbin trade last offseason, a deal that has helped both clubs. Durbin has been central to Boston’s recent surge, while Harrison has been Milwaukee’s best pitcher when healthy. Now that the deadline has passed, the Brewers need that version of him available.
Milwaukee enters Thursday afternoon’s series finale with the Pirates owning the best record in baseball, helped in part by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ recent slide. The Brewers also remain locked into a tightening NL Central race with the Cubs.
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