MILWAUKEE -- Orlando Arcia is 4-for-24 with seven strikeouts since June 10, but that's not why he wasn't starting at shortstop on Thursday against the Cardinals.
Eric Sogard, who hadn't started since June 10 in Philadelphia, was in the lineup at short in an effort to pile up the left-handed hitters against Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez.
"It's a matchup that we've had success when putting lefties in the lineup against him," Counsell said. "We're just looking to have left-handers in the lineup tonight, that's the big thing."
Sogard is 11-for-83 (.133) this season, spending part of the year in Triple-A Colorado Springs. Overall against Martinez, the Brewers' lefties aren't much better: they're hitting .148 (4-for-27) with seven strikeouts in two games this season. The right-handers are a touch higher (.158).
Tyler Saladino, whose grip on the shortstop position in late May caused a demotion for Arcia to work on his hitting, is progressing from a left ankle injury suffered against the Cardinals on May 29. Saladino took ground balls and batting practice and ran the bases at "about 50 percent," according to Counsell.
"We're not 100 percent, don't have a rehab date in sight," Counsell said. "But we're getting on the field."
Milwaukee added shortstop depth when it acquired Brad Miller from Tampa Bay in exchange for Ji-Man Choi on June 10. Miller is currently in Triple-A.
Peralta's Miller Park debut
Rookie right-hander Freddy Peralta has made three starts with the Brewers in 2018 -- all on the road. Peralta, currently in the Major Leagues due to DL stints for Zach Davies, Wade Miley and Jimmy Nelson, was slated to make his Miller Park debut on Sunday in the series finale against the Cardinals, but Wednesday's postponement in Pittsburgh changed those plans.
The Brewers pushed each starter back a day after the cancellation. Counsell announced Peralta will follow suit and make his first start in Milwaukee next Tuesday in the first of a two-game set versus Kansas City.
After striking out 13 in 5 2/3 innings of one-hit ball against the Rockies in his Major League debut on May 13, Peralta made one more start before returning to Triple-A Colorado Springs. With Davies sidelined, Peralta hurled six shutout innings against the Pirates on Tuesday, and will be rewarded with a stay in the rotation -- for now.

Counsell said Davies (right shoulder) is making progress after pitching 1 2/3 innings (31 pitches) and allowing two runs and three hits in his first rehab outing in Triple-A on Tuesday. Davies will make at least three rehab starts before returning.
"Everything went well," Counsell said. "He's just back here [in Milwaukee] between starts. He'll increase it, 50-60 pitches next time out, and just keep going. All positive signs and now he just has to build himself back up."
Brewers honoring Davey Nelson
The Brewers are honoring the late Davey Nelson this weekend at Miller Park. Nelson, who passed away on April 22 at the age of 73, was a former Major League All-Star infielder, Brewers coach and FOX Sports Wisconsin analyst, as well as a friend to everyone in the organization.
"Honestly, that guy was the most humbling, gracious guy I've ever met," said Brewers reliever Jeremy Jeffress. "He was like a dad to me. Every time he saw me out of the clubhouse we would stop and talk for a little bit."
Brewers players and coaches will wear a "Nellie" memorial patch on their jersey sleeve during the four-game series against the Cardinals, and the FOX Sports Wisconsin stage in Miller Park's right-field corner will permanently be renamed "Nellie's Corner" on Saturday. A private celebration of Nelson's life will also take place on Saturday prior to the game.
"I'm glad we're doing that," Counsell said. "Davey impacted everybody here. When you came across him, you had a better day."
Counsell actually credits Nelson to improving his baserunning skills, saying Nelson encouraged him to start stealing bases during his playing career with the Brewers.
Several Brewers players will also be participating in the 10th Annual Davey Nelson Celebrity Golf Classic in Kohler, Wis., on Monday -- a Brewers' off-day.
"He always did this tournament to benefit the community," Jeffress said, "and that's what we're here for: to have fun playing baseball, but to also benefit people who are less fortunate and can't do the stuff that we can. He was a great guy to everybody, and this will be phenomenal this weekend."