Milwaukee Brewers Provide Update on Talented But Injured Left-Handed Pitcher

Speaking at the Winter Meetings on Tuesday, the Milwaukee Brewers provided an injury update on young left-hander Aaron Ashby, who the team says is a part of their plans for 2024.

The 25-year-old didn't pitch at all in the majors last season after undergoing shoulder surgery. He made his debut in 2021 and then started 19 games for the Brewers at 22. 

He signed a contract extension that will keep him in Milwaukee through 2027. The deal also has two club options attached as the Brewers saw enough talent that they wanted to lock him potentially beyond his rookie service window.

Per Adam McCalvey of MLB.com, who had a conversation with GM Matt Arnold:

“He really feels good. He’s coming back, throwing, playing catch, working out,” Arnold said. “I think he’s on track to be a part of our rotation, hopefully next year. That’s the expectation. This guy is working his tail off to try to come back and he’s definitely on the right track."

Does that mean he expects Ashby to be game-ready from the start of next year, or just sometime next year?

“It’s hard to say,” Arnold said. “You want to be cautious with these types of things. When he’s ready, he’s certainly going to be part of our mix, for sure.”

Getting Ashby healthy and contributing would go a long way towards quelling worries about the state of the Crew's rotation. The team lost Brandon Woodruff for the season to injury and then non-tendered him, and there are constant rumors swirling about the team possibly trading ace Corbin Burnes.

They did re-sign veteran Wade Miley this week, who should provide some rotation stability.