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The first setback of 2020 comes to the Milwaukee Brewers in the form of a wrist injury to newly acquired infielder, Luis Urias. The youngster is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with a fractured left hamate. That puts his status for Opening Day up in the air.
Sources: #Brewers’ Luís Urias underwent surgery to repair a fractured left hamate bone. He’s expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 29, 2020
The Brewers’ likely shortstop for 2020 was playing well in winter ball in Mexico prior to the injury. In 141 plate appearances with Yaquis de Obregon, his slash line was .288/.400/.458. He last saw action in his team’s postseason series on January 6 and did not play again after that. The Brewers brought him stateside for further evaluation, and that exam did not go well.
Stearns said he's not second-guessing himself for allowing Urias to play winter ball late into season in Mexico. Says he thinks winter ball can be valuable for a young player.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) January 29, 2020
The injury certainly keeps Urias from participating in Spring Training, and he may not be ready for Opening Day. David Stearns says he does expect a full recovery with no lingering effects.
The Brewers expect an 8-week return to action for Luis Urias after surgery Tuesday to repair a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. "Questionable" for Opening Day, David Stearns says, but the team anticipates a full recovery and no lingering effects.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) January 29, 2020
There is some question about whether hitters are the same immediately following recovery, especially in the power department. Time will tell if Urias struggles to drive the ball after his recovery, and if it does, how that impacts his playing time early in the season.
Though recovery time on hammate bone is eight weeks, we've often seen hitter not be the same afterward for some time. So, we'll see if that happens.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) January 29, 2020
The 22 year old was recently considered one of the best prospects in the game. He was the obvious key piece coming back in trade with the San Diego Padres along with Eric Lauer. Milwaukee sent Trent Grisham and Zach Davies to San Diego in return.