Santo

Manzanillo

Manzanillo separated his throwing shoulder during a November car accident in his native Dominican Republic. But he’s avoided setbacks and should be 100 percent by April. The 23-year-old right-handed relief prospect is likely to open the 2012 season in the minor leagues.

Manzanillo suffered the injury back in November in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic. “He’s been throwing (on the minor-league side), and he’s throwing really well,” Roenicke said. “He has recovered fast. He’s doing well.” Manzanillo is an intriguing relief prospect, but the 22-year-old will likely begin the year in the minors.

Manzanillo injured the shoulder when he was hit by a truck on Tuesday morning while driving his Hummer on a highway in his native Dominican Republic. He also suffered multiple lacerations and contusions. An MRI was taken of his shoulder and will be reviewed by team doctors. There’s a chance his injuries could have an impact on his availability for the 2012 season. The 22-year-old right-hander posted an impressive 1.75 ERA and 62/26 K/BB ratio over 61 2/3 innings in relief this season between High-A Brevard County and Double-A Huntsville.

It’s no surprise that the Brewers wanted to protect Manzanillo from the Rule 5 draft after he held a 1.75 ERA and 9.0 K/9 rate between High- and Double-A this season. He’s probably not big league-ready yet, though, and figures to 2012 at Triple-A or maybe back at Double-A.

Manzanillo’s Hummer was hit by a truck on a highway in La Romana while the 22-year-old right-hander was driving to the Brewers’ new Dominican baseball academy. He suffered cuts and bruises on his right shoulder, according to a translation by MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy, and was taken by plane to Cure International Hospital in Santo Domingo. Manzillo posted a 1.75 ERA and 62/26 K/BB ratio in 61 2/3 innings this past season between High-A Brevard County and Double-A Huntsville.

Manzanillo was hit by a truck on Tuesday morning while driving his Hummer on a highway in the Dominican and had to be flown to a nearby hospital. The injury could affect the 22-year-old right-hander’s ability to get ready for the start of the 2012 season. He posted a promising 1.75 ERA in 61 2/3 minor league innings this past year.

Manzanillo held a 6.95 ERA over 18 appearances this season while battling through shoulder problems. He flashed plenty of promise in 2011 and will be looking to bounce back next year.

Manzanillo turns 25 on December 20 and will be entering his eighth season in the Brewers’ system. In 58 2/3 innings nearly evenly split between Single-A Brevard County and Double-A Huntsville, Manzanillo posted a 5.83 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 39 walks.

Manzanillo was once one of the Brewers’ top prospects, capable of hitting the high-90s in relief. However, he’s never been the same since injuring his shoulder in a car accident in the Dominican Republic after the 2011 season. The righty is still just 25, though, so someone figures to give him a shot.

Manzanillo is now no longer on the Brewers’ 40-man roster. The 24-year-old didn’t see any time with the big club in 2013, posting a 5.83 ERA over 58 2/3 innings across two levels in the minors this season.