Freddy set to return Fri., feels '100 percent'

SAN FRANCISCO -- After missing two weeks with what his manager characterized as a “scratchy” right shoulder, Freddy Peralta is ready to rejoin the Brewers’ rotation for the stretch run.

Milwaukee is expected to activate Peralta and infielder Eduardo Escobar (strained right hamstring) for Friday’s series opener against the Cardinals at American Family Field, which, believe it or not, begins the regular season’s penultimate homestand for the Crew.

“What I know is that I feel 100 percent ready to go, to keep competing, to help the team to get wins,” Peralta said.

He last pitched Aug. 18 at St. Louis, surrendering three runs on five hits in two innings before departing with right shoulder discomfort that had bothered him for several days. Subsequent tests revealed inflammation but no structural damage, so Peralta took three days off before resuming throwing.

He later threw two bullpen sessions, one of 20-25 pitches and another on Monday of 50-60 pitches. His shoulder felt “great,” Peralta reported.

Asked whether there could be some benefit to a break in action before diving into September and, Peralta and the Brewers hope, October, he said, “I think yes. We took that time to get stronger and get ready for October. A lot of strength exercises for my shoulder, and also I took that time to work on my core to keep strong.”

The Brewers have exercised caution all season with the workloads of their starting pitchers, employing a sixth starter almost all year and inserting breaks for pitchers like Peralta, who are heading toward career highs for innings. Peralta got one breather around the All-Star break, and the minor shoulder issue meant another break from pitching.

Most of the team’s starters have had similar breaks, whether planned or unplanned. Corbin Burnes, Adrian Houser and Eric Lauer all spent two weeks or so on the COVID-19 injured list with mild symptoms. Brett Anderson battled a series of nagging health issues, mostly to his lower body, before landing on the 10-day IL on Thursday with a bruised left shoulder from a line drive Wednesday night. Even Brandon Woodruff had a few extra days of rest around the All-Star break.

“With all these guys [when they return from such absences], it takes a little bit of time to get back in the flow of things,” Brewers pitching coach Chris Hook said. “Like, Houser was frustrated the other day. I told him, ‘This is not plug and play. You guys were in a good routine. It’s very detailed every day, and you go away for two weeks and you expect it to just work?’ It doesn’t work that way.

“We’ve been fortunate knowing the first time out, the concentration level is through the roof and we’re going to be OK. The second time out, a little wobbly. The third time, we’re two and a half weeks back into our routine and it balances out a little bit. I think Freddy is going to be fine.”

Simmons rooting for Brewers
In a discussion with reporters on Thursday organized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., former Brewers catcher Ted Simmons said he’s been keeping an eye on his onetime team as it approaches the ’82 Crew’s high-water mark of 31 games over .500.

The Brewers entered Thursday’s series finale against the Giants 30 games over .500 at 82-52.

“I’m hoping they can break the record as soon as it can possibly happen in Milwaukee here this week,” Simmons said. “Records are meant to be broken. And there’s nothing like NBA championships and a possible Major League Baseball championship in a city like Milwaukee. That would be dramatic and that would be just incredible. I hope it happens.”

• Simmons a Hall of Fame renaissance man

Simmons gained his long-awaited entry to the Hall of Fame in December 2019, and has been waiting since then for his formal induction. It will finally happen on Wednesday afternoon, when he’ll be in Cooperstown to be honored alongside fellow 2020 inductees Derek Jeter, Marvin Miller and Larry Walker.

Last call
• With Anderson back on the IL Thursday and no off-days until Sept. 9, the Brewers will have to fill his spot in the rotation if they choose to remain on a six-man rotation. Left-hander Aaron Ashby is the leading candidate to make another spot start during next week’s series against the Phillies.

• Just as they exercise caution with their starters down the stretch after only 60 regular-season games in 2020, the Brewers remain cognizant of the strain on their bullpen arms. That’s why Devin Williams was off-limits in Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Giants when the eighth inning came around with a one-run lead.

“That was three days in a row for him,” manager Craig Counsell said, referring to a stretch from Sunday through Tuesday when Williams pitched twice and got hot the third day as the Giants mounted a threat. “That's why every little thing in the game matters. … That was three days in a row getting Devin hot. We're not going to do that at this point and push guys, with what we've got going on.”