One of the Chicago Cubs’ biggest rivals was just dealt a big blow, as Milwaukee Brewers reliever Corey Knebel will undergo Tommy John Surgery.

Knebel, who had 16 saves and posted a 3.58 ERA in 57 appearances last season, will miss the entire 2019 season as a result of the surgery. According to reporters, Knebel was given the option of rehabbing the injury and possibly returning by summer, but if that rehab had failed he would have had to undergo surgery anyway, thus pushing him toward going the surgical route immediately.

Even with the loss of Knebel, the Brewers’ bullpen is still strong, with pitchers like Matt Albers, Josh Hader, and Alex Wilson all still in the mix.

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The injury to Knebel could also intensify the Brewers’ pursuit of free agent reliever Craig Kimbrel. The former Red Sox closer is improbably still on the market even as the season begins, and a 1-2 punch of Hader and Kimbrel could establish the Brewers as a dominant force in the National League Central race.