Pat Murphy was back managing the Milwaukee Brewers on Brewers score night Friday, one day after a 2 1/2-hour back surgery in Appleton. He was not in his usual spot in the home dugout when the Milwaukee Brewers opened a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at American Family Field.
Murphy said Friday afternoon, “I feel great,” after having the procedure the day before. He also said, “Went in there and fixed it,” describing the surgery that left him feeling well enough to take the job again immediately.
Chris Hook Handles The Changes
The Brewers built the game plan around Murphy’s recovery. Chris Hook will make all the pitching changes while Murphy manages from a safer distance for at least the next few games, a shift that keeps the manager involved without asking him to work the dugout the same way he usually does.
That adjustment came after weeks of pain tied to separate back and hip issues. Murphy said the back work addressed a ruptured disc, adding, “I had a ruptured disc. Maybe more than one, and they just cleaned it out.” He also said medical advice was to take several days off after the procedure.
Murphy Chooses Friday
He still chose the off day because it gave him a chance to manage the next day. “The whole reason to do it on the off day is because there’s a possibility you could manage the next day,” Murphy said. He added, “Take it easy for a couple days and I’ll be back in a more normal way.”
That plan keeps the Milwaukee Brewers in the hands of their manager during a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs while reducing the strain on his body. Murphy said, “I’m still not going to be doing anything different than I had been doing,” and, “Not supposed to take a hit because the next one’s back fusion.”
Jared Koenig Sees Murphy
Jared Koenig was reinstated from the injured list before the game and checked on Murphy himself. Koenig said Murphy is stubborn and has a football mentality, then added, “I went and talked to him and asked him and he was like, ‘Oh, I’m fine. Don’t worry.’”
The Brewers now have their manager back, but in a limited lane for the next few games. How soon he settles into his usual home dugout spot depends on how well he handles the stretch he said would be easier than normal, not normal yet.
