Davies (shoulder) not ready to return to rotation
Miley to miss six to eight weeks; Saladino's stay with Crew could be brief
DENVER -- The Brewers recalled right-hander Brandon Woodruff from Triple-A Colorado Springs to start Friday's game against the Rockies in the spot injured Zach Davies had hoped to fill. Davies, on the 10-day disabled list with right rotator cuff irritation, cut short a bullpen session at Miller Park on Wednesday after about 10 pitches because his shoulder "didn't feel right." Outfielder Brett Phillips was optioned to Colorado Springs to make room for Woodruff.
Davies was not scheduled for further tests, signaling that the Brewers agree with his assessment that his injury is relatively minor.
"It wasn't worse than anything I've had the last week, but it wasn't where I want it to be," Davies said. "I didn't want to continue throwing on it when I know taking a few days off would probably be best for it.
"It is disappointing because it was progressing, and you want to spend as little time on the DL as possible. My level of concern isn't that high for it, just because everyday stuff isn't a bother. It's not in pain every day. It's not something I think is going to keep me sidelined for [an extended period]."
The Brewers have another opening in their pitching rotation on Sunday, but Davies won't be ready. Left-hander Brent Suter is tentatively slated to start that day, unless he is needed in relief before then.
Davies will take several days off before trying to throw again. He first felt discomfort in his final inning of work against the Cubs on April 29, when he threw 95 pitches and surrendered two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 2-0 loss at Wrigley Field. The Brewers put him on the DL the following day in hopes he would be able to get back to work after the minimum 10 days.
"It's going to take more time," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "That's why we put him on the DL, so we could take time with this if we needed more time."
It is Woodruff's third stint in the Majors this season. He has a 3.86 ERA in one big league start and four relief appearances so far in 2018.
Last call
• Counsell expects left-hander Wade Miley to miss six to eight weeks with his strained right oblique, about two weeks longer than the estimate Miley shared with reporters. Infielder Nick Franklin, who went on the DL alongside Miley on Wednesday, will be sidelined at least two weeks with his strained right quad, Counsell said.
• Right-hander Jimmy Nelson is still throwing on flat ground from 150 feet, part of his progression in working back from right shoulder surgery.
• Thursday was a bit more normal for utility man Tyler Saladino, who spent more of Wednesday than he would have liked circling above Chicago in an effort to get to Miller Park following a promotion from Triple-A. He has options remaining, meaning he's among the candidates to be sent down when the team recalls Woodruff on Friday.
The Brewers had an eye on Saladino for some time before acquiring him from the White Sox for cash last month, Counsell said. That was news to the 28-year-old.
"I just kind of stay task-oriented," Saladino said. "That's always been my approach to things."