Brewers’ Jimmy Nelson to miss ‘chunk’ of next season after labrum surgery

Brewers right-hander Jimmy Nelson will miss “a chunk” of the 2018 season after undergoing labrum surgery Wednesday. The procedure was more extensive than originally thought.

Nelson, 28, anchored the Brewers staff with a career-best 3.49 ERA and 3.05 FIP in 175.1 innings over 29 starts this season. The righty, along with Chase Anderson, Brent Suter and Zach Davies, helped the Crew significantly during their surprise run as contenders but unfortunately will not be available for the end of the season or postseason (if Milwaukee gets in).

Nelson is under club control through the 2020 season, so Milwaukee will have two fully healthy seasons of his services plus whatever he can contribute in 2018. Of course, shoulder injuries tend to recur more frequently than elbow issues, so the team will look to be cautious as they get Nelson through his rehab process.

Nelson, the Brewers’ second-round pick in 2010, owns a career 4.12 ERA, 4.04 FIP and 8.1 K/9 in 109 appearances (104 starts) since making his major-league debut in 2013.