A Schelling For Your Thoughts

Gonzalez underwent an MRI on Monday that confirmed the injury, which occurred when he slid awkwardly into second base in the second inning of Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Giants.

“They’ll wait for the swelling to go down and try to schedule a date for when he goes in to have surgery,” manager Ron Roenicke said. “[Mat] Gamel’s kind of the same thing, on a holding pattern. Swelling goes down and then they’ll set a date.”

Gonzalez was moving around the clubhouse after the game Saturday on crutches, and again Monday afternoon before the Brewers opened up a six-game homestand at Miller Park.

Gonzalez batted .259 with four home runs, 15 RBIs and four doubles in 24 games for the Brewers this season.

The injury bug bit the Brewers during their nine-game road trip, affecting Gonzalez, first baseman Gamel (torn ACL), starting pitcher Chris Narveson (shoulder surgery), outfielder Ryan Braun (stiff right Achilles) and outfielder Carlos Gomez (left hamstring strain).

With the likely season-ending injury for Gonzalez, his absence creates an opportunity for Cesar Izturis and Edwin Maysonet. Izturis has taken over as the Brewers’ primary shortstop, while Maysonet will play a utility role off the bench for the Crew with occasional starts.

They’re happy to play bigger roles with the club, but a significant injury to a teammate is a tough way for Izturis and Maysonet to get such promotions.

“I’ve never seen something like that, especially not two players to go down with the same injuries and out for the season,” Izturis said. “It’s tough, but it’s part of the game. So now my job is to go out there and help the team win.”

Maysonet was invited to join the Brewers in Spring Training each of the last two seasons, but had not played in the Major Leagues since 2009 with the Houston Astros, until appearing in the final three innings of Sunday night’s loss at San Francisco.

Maysonet knows his role likely will not be a particularly significant one.

“I don’t think I’m going to have a big impact on the team,” he said. “I’m just like the little guy in the corner. Whenever I’m needed, I go out there. But whatever I [can do] to help. If they need me to be the boost, I’ll be the boost. I don’t care, I just want to help the team win.”