For the second time in a week the Brewers have lost an everyday player to a torn ACL.
First baseman Mat Gamel will miss the remainder of the season after blowing out his knee on May 2 and now shortstop Alex Gonzalez has been diagnosed with a torn ACL suffered Saturday.
Season-ending surgery is likely, but the Brewers announced that Gonzalez will rest for a week before making an official decision. As a 35-year-old whose hitting isn’t good enough to keep him in the majors if his range and athleticism decline Gonzalez could be facing the end of his career.
Cesar Izturis will take over as Milwaukee’s starting shortstop and like Gonzalez his value is almost all dependent on defense, as the 32-year-old hasn’t topped a .650 OPS since 2004 and missed most of last season with elbow and groin injuries.
And at some point soon the Brewers will probably be in the market for a first baseman and a shortstop.
