Impact Analysis: Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers

October 23, 2008 @ 00:00:00

By Bob Bonett
Edited by Herija C. Green

The typical course of action in modern baseball is for managers to shut down young players when they get injured. Wary of the possibility of ruining a talented player's career, erring on the side of caution is the popular approach to take.

However, with the Milwaukee Brewers and second-year starter Yovani Gallardo, that was not the case. Just a little more than four months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, Gallardo was back on the mound for the Brewers. Fantasy owners themselves are now curious whether or not Gallardo will be a viable top-of-the-rotation option next season.

Gallardo's rocky road

Gallardo started the season on the disabled list after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on his left knee to repair torn cartilage during spring training. He returned April 20 and immediately rejoined the rotation. However, just three starts later, Gallardo, while pitching at Wrigley Field, tore his ACL in a collision at first base.

Initially, there was not much concern from the national media surrounding Gallardo's injury. Internally, though, the Brewers were clearly worried. They sent Gallardo to Milwaukee, instead of having him accompany them to Houston on the road trip, to be diagnosed. His ACL was in fact torn - initially, though, surgery was not the only option. The team instead hoped that when the swelling in Gallardo's knee went down there would other alternatives. However, that was not the case, and Gallardo went under the knife May 13.

Surgery went well for Gallardo, enabling cautious optimism about his ability to return to the Brewers before the end of the season. As the year progressed, the rehabilitation process went to plan, and it became more likely that Gallardo would have a shot to at least fully recover without any ill effects, and perhaps even return by the end of the season. However, in late August, general manager Doug Melvin indicated that Gallardo was unlikely to pitch again in 2008.

Fast forward just a handful of days to Sept. 2, though, and Gallardo was pitching simulated games. His rehab culminated Sept. 19 with a 75-pitch session, and Gallardo was activated four days later. He would immediately be reinserted into the starting rotation.

The return

Lo and behold, just slightly more than a month after Gallardo and the team indicated it was unlikely the young right-hander would return, Gallardo found himself on the mound Sept. 25. The results were intriguing - four innings pitched, three hits, one run and seven strikeouts. Clearly, despite the injury, Gallardo was still pitching to his strengths - a high strikeout rate with, at times, some nasty, unhittable stuff.

Gallardo's start was intriguing enough to garner him the Game 1 nod in the National League Division Series. In doing so, Gallardo became only the second pitcher in Major League history to start a playoff opener after not registering a victory during the regular season. This time, Gallardo was not going to be treated as cautiously.

After four innings, though, Gallardo was yanked. He allowed three unearned runs, scattered three hits and walked five. Clearly, two issues cropped up as a result of Gallardo's extended absence: his control was inconsistent, and his stamina left much to be desired.

In addition, there's the looming question as to whether or not Gallardo was rushed back. Looking at the facts, it seems clear that Milwaukee, seeing the playoffs in their sights and losing starter Ben Sheets (elbow), wanted to bring back the pitcher they had penciled in as their No. 2 starter entering the season. The results were a mixed bag, but fortunately the young pitcher didn't suffer any setbacks.

Implications of the injury

While a torn ACL is clearly a serious injury, the good news is that Gallardo didn't incur a shoulder or elbow injury. He also didn't noticeably change his approach on the mound to favor his surgically repaired knee. Still, the fact that Gallardo underwent separate surgeries on both knees - the one on the right being more severe - has to raise some injury red flags for fantasy owners.

Fantasy baseball outlook

Had Gallardo pitched a full season, there's no telling what kind of numbers he would have put up - he has All-Star caliber talent. However, considering the nature of the injury, and the limited sample size Gallardo presented this year, he's more of a mid-round pitcher in fantasy drafts than an early-round option. Consider drafting him as your third or fourth starter, but don't be shocked if his stock starts to rise as the season draws nearer. If he stays healthy and pitches to his talent level, he has No. 2 potential.

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

 

---

What do you think? We want to hear from you!

Name: E-mail: Please, enter the number that you see

Comment Guidelines

Bob Bonett

Bob Bonett started contributing to KFFL in 2008. He has worked formerly for JetsInsider.com as a beat writer for the New York Jets, and has been an avid fantasy sports player since his early teen years. He is now an undergraduate student at Hofstra University majoring in sports journalism.

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

One Day FREE Fantasy Contest - $350 in cash prizes (05/25)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: John Danks placed on DL (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: The substandard Roy Halladay (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Player Prospecting: Danny Hultzen, Roger Kieschnick, more (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Austin Jackson headed to DL (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: Addison Reed, J.J. Putz, Ernesto Frieri, more (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Brian Roberts seeing the light at the end of the rehab tunnel (05/24)
I am not afraid of Hakeem Nicks' foot injury (05/24)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - AL (05/24)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - NL (05/24)