Milwaukee Brewers: When will Zach Davies return?

The Milwaukee Brewers won’t add Matt Harvey, but Zach Davies could return in the next few weeks. Does Davies finally have an return date?

The Cincinnati Reds will hang on to Matt Harvey for the rest of the year. This means that the Milwaukee Brewers will have to look to internal options to boost their starting five. Zach Davies was recently optioned to Single-A. It’s odd that Davies was optioned to the lower levels of the Minors, but is it telling that the Brewers are keeping Davies close in Wisconsin?

Why is Davies in Single-A?

Well, the Milwaukee Brewers believe he needs another start or two before he can rejoin the team. His 30-day rehab window ended, and the team had to option him to allow him to continue to shake off the rust in the Minors.

Also, Appleton, WI is less than a two-hour drive away from Miller Park. Davies could conceivably stay in his own bed, assuming he owns a home near Milwaukee, and continue his rehab. The choice between a hotel in an unfamiliar city and one’s own bed is usually an easy decision to make. He could also return to the team on short notice if a need arises in the next few weeks.

How has Davies looked recently?

Davies worked six innings for the Milwaukee Brewers’ Double-A affiliate, the Biloxi Shuckers on August 22nd. He allowed only one run on two hits and one walk with nine strikeouts. The only run Davies surrendered came on a solo homer.

Does Davies have a time table for his return to the Majors?

It looks like Davies is penciled in for a start with the Milwaukee Brewers on September 2nd. Davies has been expected to return twice before, but each time he suffered a setback. Based on his recent results, he sounds like he’s turned a corner with his shoulder injury, and should make his scheduled start.

Davies’ return to the rotation will either force Wade Miley into the bullpen, or allow the Milwaukee Brewers to skip Freddy Peralta, and save a few innings for the very end of the year. Junior Guerra could also head to the bullpen if he continues to struggle. A healthy Davies gives the Brewers more options and greater flexibility heading into the final weeks of the season. He’s not the ace that would elevate the team, but he’s a capable starter who can gobble up innings with the best of them.