Nelson will make 'multiple' rehab appearances

PHOENIX -- Jimmy Nelson’s first rehab appearance for Class A Wisconsin on Sunday won’t be his only outing before he returns from the injured list.

On Friday, Brewers manager Craig Counsell said the club plans to send Nelson to another affiliate after his appearance for the Timber Rattlers, with the second outing tentatively scheduled for Wednesday. Nelson, who has been on the IL with a right elbow injury since June 28, threw a bullpen session at Chase Field on Thursday.

“Both his bullpens, he’s been really positive and [pitching coach] Chris Hook’s been really positive about how they’ve gone,” Counsell said. “Health-wise, he’s been good. The next step is he’s got to face some hitters and recover from that, and then follow it up a couple days later.”

Counsell said the club is looking for Nelson to make “multiple” rehab outings before his return, so it’s probable the right-hander won’t be activated following Wednesday’s appearance, either.

After missing all of 2018 following recovery from right shoulder surgery, Nelson is 0-2 with an 8.36 ERA in four games (three starts) for Milwaukee this season. All three of his starts came in June, but Counsell said it remains likely Nelson will pitch in relief moving forward.

“I don’t think we’re going to stretch him out to start to this point,” Counsell said.

Cain for Gold Glove?

After center fielder Lorenzo Cain put on a defensive showcase in the Brewers’ series-opening win on Thursday, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo expressed disbelief that Cain has never won a Gold Glove Award in the veteran’s 10-year career.

Add Counsell to the list of others who are surprised about Cain’s lack of hardware.

“It’s wrong,” Counsell said. “It’s a mistake.”

Counsell cited the fact that Gold Glove Awards are now given to one left fielder, one center fielder and one right fielder, rather than any three outfielders, for a reason why Cain has yet to receive the honor. Last year, Cain was one of three finalists at center in the National League, but he lost to the Braves’ Ender Inciarte.

“It doesn’t make any sense, frankly, because [Cain] could go play left field and be better than all the left fielders,” Counsell said. “The game has changed. Guys playing left field, they might be playing left field and then third base and then first base. The list of left fielders last year, it was like three guys that played left field every day.”

Worth noting

• Right-hander Corbin Burnes continues to receive treatment on his irritated right shoulder, but there is no timetable for when he will begin to throw. Counsell remains optimistic it won’t be a long-term injury. Burnes went on the IL on Monday.

“We’re still in the world of shorter rather than longer, I think,” Counsell said.

• Right-hander Shelby Miller made his first start since signing a Minor League deal with the Brewers on Thursday night, tossing two innings for Triple-A San Antonio. He allowed two runs on three hits with four walks with two strikeouts.

Although Miller has struggled this season -- he posted an 8.59 ERA in 19 games (eight starts) for the Rangers -- Counsell said the addition of Miller was a “no-risk” signing that could help later.

“Depth is still something with 65 games or so that you’re always willing to address and you’re always a couple of injuries away from saying, ‘Hey man, we need more arms here,” Counsell said.