Brewers place Chase Anderson on DL with oblique strain

Brewers’ starting pitcher Chase Anderson is headed to the 10-day disabled list after suffering a strained oblique in the second inning against the Reds on Wednesday night. He is facing a “long absence,” per MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy.

Anderson suffered the injury while taking a swing against Luis Castillo in the second inning and said he felt like he was stabbed in his side. Not only did the swing result in the injury, but also in a strikeout.

The injury feels like a stab in the side of the Brewers, who lose Anderson and his 2.92 ERA this season, which is 10th-best in the league among starting pitchers. After allowing a career-high 28 home runs last season, Anderson has allowed just eight so far in a 2017 season that was shaping out to be the best in the 29-year-old’s young career.

Wednesday night felt like it would be a continuation of Anderson’s excellent season, as he retired the Reds in order on eight pitches in the first inning before coming to bat in the top of the second, where his fortunes took a turn for the worst.

The Brewers’ fortunes could take an unfortunate turn as a result of Anderson’s injury. The team currently holds a narrow one game lead over the Cubs in the NL Central, but oblique strains are often a complicated injury that can keep Anderson out for an extended period of time.

Reliever Paolo Espino replaced Anderson after the injury last night, but the team has yet to make a decision on who will replace him in the rotation.