Oct 13, 2018; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Corey Knebel (46) pitches during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two of the 2018 NLCS playoff baseball series at Miller Park. Photo Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Corey Knebel said he will decide Friday about whether to undergo Tommy John surgery or rehab a partially torn ligament in his pitching elbow, according to MLB.com.
Knebel, 27, has pitched through the injury since 2014 but was shut down in mid-March during spring training as he sought multiple opinions on his right elbow.
“I’m ready to know what we’re going to be doing,” Knebel said, according to MLB.com. “The ‘unknowing’ is the tough part. Once the decision is made, then it will be full go.”
Knebel was 4-3 with 16 saves and a 3.58 ERA in 55 1/3 innings last season, striking out 88 as part of a dominant bullpen that helped the Brewers reach the National League Championship Series. He gave up two hits and one run in 10 postseason innings.
Knebel was an All-Star in 2017, when posted a 1.78 ERA and struck out 126 in 76 innings.
Knebel and reliever Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder) open the season on the injured list for Milwaukee, likely leaving closer duties to Josh Hader.
