Milwaukee Brewers' Pitcher Will Smith Freak Knee Injury
Just as Milwaukee Brewers team manager Craig Counsell named Will Smith as co-closer to Jeremy Jefress, Smith popped his right knee in a freak accident and tore his lateral collateral ligament, the outside of the knee that connects the femur to the lower leg. He is awaiting test results and word from the team physician, Dr. William Raasch, whether surgery is needed or whether rehabilitation of the knee would be enough.
A left-hander, relief pitcher William Michael "Will" Smith favored his right leg as the plant leg to keep steady, thus allowing the leg to absorb most of the impact while pitching in his sport. The former relief pitcher had been getting ready for a shower after a minor league game.
Smith tells ESPN he had been standing on his leg while trying to take off the other shoe but lost his balance and twisted his knee.
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"I pulled hard [on the shoe] and it stayed on," the co-closer says. "My knee just went up and popped. Everyone tells you there is nothing you can do about it, but you still feel like you are letting people down."
Counsell indicates Smith will be losing "significant time," and just how long will depend on the findings. The manager adds, "The recovery is a little longer with surgery. It's tough for us, it's tough for Will. There is going to be somebody in [the clubhouse] that takes this opportunity and makes a lot of it."
It does not seem to be a season-ender though, according to Counsell. But the team will start the season without him.
Smith had a roll last season, performing excellently with 7-2 with earned run average (ERA) of 2.70, striking out 91 batters in 63.1 innings.
He has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Kansas City Royals back in 2012 and 2013. His professional debut was with the Orem Owlz in the Rookie-Level Pioneer League with 76 strikeouts and six walks. Smith was traded to the Brewers in exchange for Norichika Aoki in 2013.
