JB Bukauskas Sidelined by "Significant" Lat Injury

Right-hander JB Bukauskas is facing a "significant" lat injury, as reported by Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Bukauskas is currently deciding between undergoing surgery or attempting to rehab the injury. This setback is particularly unfortunate for Bukauskas, who was once a first-round pick by the Astros in 2017 and a consensus top-100 prospect. Traded to the Diamondbacks as part of the Zack Greinke deal in 2019, he made his MLB debut in 2021 but has since struggled with injuries. He missed significant time due to an elbow flexor strain and a teres major strain, limiting his opportunities on the mound.
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Bukauskas' career has been marked by frequent injuries, affecting his ability to maintain consistent performance. After brief stints with the Mariners and Brewers, he showed glimpses of his potential, posting a 0.75 ERA and a 26.7% strikeout rate in limited appearances for Milwaukee. Despite these flashes of brilliance, he has been sidelined by various ailments, including whiplash, a finger tendon issue, and the recent lat strain. Milwaukee designated him for assignment in January, but Bukauskas opted to stay with the team as a non-roster invitee for Spring Training. The Brewers are hopeful that Bukauskas can overcome this latest obstacle and contribute to their pitching staff.