DENVER -- The Brewers' bullpen, already second best in the Major Leagues, was further fortified Thursday, when the team reinstated veteran left-hander Boone Logan from the disabled list for the start of a four-game series against the Rockies at Coors Field.
Logan faced one batter in his Brewers debut in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Rockies, allowing a single to David Dahl before Matt Albers, Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress recorded the final 11 outs without allowing a hit.
Logan signed a one-year free-agent deal in January, but he strained his left triceps during the final week of Spring Training, and he began the regular season on the DL. Logan has held left-handed hitters to a .672 OPS in 12 big league seasons.
Milwaukee optioned Jorge Lopez to Triple-A Colorado Springs to clear a roster spot.
"Thinking back, it's been since July that I've been in a big league game," said Logan, whose 2017 season with the Indians ended early because of a significant lat injury. "I'm so ready to get back to it."
With Logan and All-Star closer Knebel, who was activated from the DL on Wednesday, Brewers manager Craig Counsell entered Thursday night with nine relievers, including four left-handers: Electric 24-year-old Josh Hader, veterans Dan Jennings and Logan, plus swingman Brent Suter -- though Suter threw 82 pitches in emergency relief Tuesday against the Indians and is ticketed to rejoin the rotation on Sunday if the Brewers can get that far without using him.
Milwaukee's relief unit entered Thursday with a 2.61 ERA. Only Arizona had a better bullpen ERA, at 2.45.
"That's probably the reason they didn't rush me up," Logan joked.
Asked whether these are the best bullpen options he's had since taking over as Brewers manager, Counsell said, "We've been pretty good this year already, and we were pretty good at the end of last year, too. It's a spot we're probably healthiest. … Hopefully we keep putting them in good spots."