Due to an extreme game of pick-up basketball, Zack Greinke has a hairline fracture in a rib on the left side of his body and will likely start the MLB season on the disabled list. Fans of the right-hander in Milwaukee will have to wait a few more weeks before they see their new ace in a Brewers uniform. It’s the latest mini-tragedy for a team who has had more than their fair share of them over the last 30 years.

After winning the AL Cy Young Award in 2009, Greinke stumbled greatly in 2010 with Kansas City, recording a weak 10-14 record with an inflated 4.17 ERA. His strikeout total fell to 181 while his WHIP climbed to 1.245. However, he was playing with one of the worst teams in baseball and the Brewers acquired him hoping he could turn himself and their franchise around, seeing how he’s still considered to be one of the best pitchers in baseball.

By all accounts, Greinke should show better numbers in Milwaukee, mostly because he’ll be facing weaker lineups in the National League and not having to worry about facing the DH anymore. However, he’ll have to swing the bat now, and if he doesn’t let his body heal fully, the strain of swinging a bat might do more harm than good in the long run.

Losing two or three starts doesn’t sound like much, but when you consider the Brewers have made one postseason appearance since 1983, losing as few as 15 innings from a former Cy Young Award winner is huge. The Brewers will need to make every game count if they want to compete with Cincinnati and St. Louis. Greinke has pitched since injuring himself, so that’s good news at least. He can still perform, but not at his peak. Until then, hold your breath while Yovani Gallardo takes the role of team ace.