On a day when the Brewers finally looked like a winning team again, blanking Baltimore 7-0 behind Sadahige Kawasaki, they also got bad news when it was revealed that left-handed set-up man Jason Gottula, who they were counting on having back for the stretch run, has suffered a set-back in his recovery from a torn back muscle and needs to go under the knife, meaning he won't be back until next Spring.
This makes the earlier trade to get lefty Victor Colon and set-up man Evan Perez- a right-hander who is also tough on left-handed hitters- all that more important. It is unlikely at this stage of the season that a better replacement for Gottula will be found and the minor league system is devoid of talented left-handed relievers. Gottula is signed through 1979 so the team will hope he can return healthy and still effective next season.