Garrett Mitchell's comeback trail has hit another snag as the Milwaukee Brewers outfielder suffered a shoulder injury during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville. The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday night when Mitchell, while running the bases, awkwardly dove back into first after hitting an RBI single. This led to a potential aggravation of his left shoulder, which had previously undergone surgery in 2023 to repair a torn labrum.

Mitchell, who has been on the injured list since late April with an oblique strain, was nearing a return to the Brewers lineup. The rehab assignment was intended to get him back into game shape, but this latest setback has cast doubt on his immediate future. Initial imaging taken in Nashville proved inconclusive due to swelling, prompting the Brewers to bring him back to Milwaukee for further evaluation.

The Brewers have not yet released a timeline for Mitchell's return, but there is concern that he could be sidelined until after the All-Star break. This injury is particularly concerning given Mitchell's history. The talented outfielder has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, limiting him to just 141 games and 443 plate appearances over four seasons.

In 2023, Mitchell missed a significant portion of the season after suffering a left shoulder subluxation that required surgery. He was sidelined from mid-April until late September, only returning for a few games at the end of the season. Prior to the latest setback, Mitchell was making progress in recovering from the oblique strain that landed him on the IL on April 26th.

Before the injury, Mitchell played 25 games in the regular season, posting a .206/.286/.294 slash line with three stolen bases. The Brewers had hoped he would provide a spark to their offense and defense upon his return. His recurring injury issues raise questions about his long-term viability with the team. As he approaches arbitration eligibility this winter, his health will be a critical factor in determining his future with the Brewers.

The Brewers will now need to reassess their roster and consider alternative options in Mitchell's absence. The team is already dealing with several other injuries, including to key players like Brandon Woodruff, Nestor Cortes and Blake Perkins. The results from Mitchell's upcoming imaging tests will be crucial in determining the extent of the injury and a possible recovery timeline. If the swelling subsides quickly, there is a possibility he could resume baseball activities sooner than expected.