CHICAGO — The good news is that Carlos Gomez’s left wrist injury isn’t as serious as feared following an examination this week.
But the Milwaukee Brewers center fielder will be sidelined for at least a week and possibly more, still a blow to a slumping team now chasing St. Louis in the National League Central race.
“There’s no structural damage, which is really good but it’s a sprained left wrist and it is going to take some time,” Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said prior to Tuesday’s middle game on a series with the Cubs at Wrigley Field. “So he’s not going to swing a bat for a week.”
Gomez was hurt on a swinging strike Sunday at San Francisco and left the game. He was batting .282 with 21 home runs and 65 RBIs when the injury occurred and hasn’t played since.
The plan for now is rest and treatment for the next week. Depending on how Gomez responds, he could start light swings and workouts next week.
“In the meantime, whenever he’s comfortable, he’ll be okay to be used as a pinch runner, defense replacement late in game and then we’ll see how long this thing is going to take,” Roenicke said.
Roenicke said he’ll likely lean toward Gerardo Parra for most starts in center in Gomez’s absence.
Also Tuesday, Milwaukee called up Hector Gomez, Matt Clark and Jason Rogers from Triple-A Nashville as part of September roster expansions.
Gomez had a.391 batting average over the last month, with 12 of his 25 hits going for extra bases in that stretch. Clark has 16 home runs and 37 RBIs since joining Nashville while Rogers was hitting .316 in Nashville with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs over 57 games.
To make room on the 40-man roster the Brewers designated outfielder Caleb Gindl and released right-hander Hiram Burgos.