Milwaukee Brewers: When will their injured starters return?

The Milwaukee Brewers have three injured starting pitchers still on the disabled list. Will their rotation return to full strength any time soon?

Zach Davies and Wade Miley were expected to play key roles in the 2018 Milwaukee Brewers starting rotation. Jimmy Nelson was rumored to return to the Brewers from late June to late August. When will their injured trio finally make it back to the Major League roster?

How’s Wade Miley doing?

Good news! Miley successfully threw a simulated game last Sunday, and is set to begin a Minor League rehab stint. He’ll report to Biloxi in Double-A this week and make a few starts. He’s not eligible to return before July 9th because he’s on the 60-day DL. He’s on pace to make it back around then.

What’s the latest on Zach Davies?

Davies is still working his way back from rotator cuff inflammation that he suffered in late May. And that was after suffering a shoulder strain in early May and making two starts.

Davies threw a bullpen session last week, and may toss a few simulated games before heading to the Minors on a rehab assignment. He appears to be behind Miley, but the Milwaukee Brewers are taking a cautious approach since this is his second shoulder injury this season.

Will we ever see Jimmy Nelson again?

Absolutely! He’s back on his throwing program since getting shut down in mid-May. Nelson isn’t ready to start simulated games or throw bullpen sessions. It did look like a June return was possible in Spring Training, but it doesn’t look like Nelson will return to the starting rotation until August at the earliest.

Of the trio, Nelson is by far the biggest wild card. He could return and look like he did before he was hurt. He could also struggle with command and velocity. No one really knows what he’s going to look like until he actually appears in a game. If the Milwaukee Brewers are in contention, they may have to press Nelson into service, but they’ll have to exercise caution. Nelson’s long term health has to come before the Brewers playoff aspirations.

Next: Will the Brewers boost their rotation at the trade deadline?

The other two starters are working their way back from ‘normal’ injuries. Miley should make a seamless return to the rotation, while Davies has a bumpier road ahead given the nature of his injury.