Milwaukee Brewers: When will Jimmy Nelson return to the Majors?

It’s been almost two years since Jimmy Nelson took the mound for the Milwaukee Brewers. Could he actually return to the Majors in the next few weeks?

Jimmy Nelson is scheduled to start again for the San Antonio Missions on Friday, May 17th. After that? His schedule says ‘TBA’. If all goes well, Nelson could turn ‘TBA’ into his first start with the Milwaukee Brewers since September 8th, 2017.

How has Nelson looked in the Minors?

He’s made two appearances for the San Antonio Missions during his current rehab assignment. He’s logged 8 2/3 innings, and owns a 6.23 ERA. He’s notched eight strikeouts, five walks, and two homers allowed. He needed 72 pitches to make it through 3 1/3 innings in his first outing, but threw 84 pitches in 5 1/3 innings in his second appearance.

According to reports, he showed improved control and solid velocity in his second outing.

What about Spring Training?

Nelson made two appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers in Spring Training before getting shut down with elbow soreness. He took a few weeks off, had a cortisone shot, and resumed his throwing program.

Nelson managed a 4.50 ERA in four innings. He struck out seven, walked zero, and was tagged for one homer during his abbreviated Spring season.

Who gets displaced from the rotation?

If Nelson returns to the Milwaukee Brewers, someone has to leave the rotation. Jhoulys Chacin, Brandon Woodruff, and Zach Davies aren’t getting skipped any time soon. That leaves Freddy Peralta, and Gio Gonzalez. Peralta has looked solid in his last two starts since needing a few weeks off with a sore shoulder. Gonzalez has a 1.69 ERA in three starts with the Brewers. He’s tossed 16 innings and posted 12 strikeouts and four walks. Gonzalez is also the only lefty in the Brewers’ rotation right now.

Peralta looks like the odd man out when Nelson makes his return. The Brewers will want to limit his innings this year, and this is another opportunity to keep Peralta from burning out without shutting him down. Moving Peralta to the bullpen or sending him back to Triple-A for a few weeks is the right move for the immediate future. Nelson still has to prove that he can hold his own in a Major League rotation. The Brewers will give him a few starts, but Nelson could end up getting bumped for Peralta, Chase Anderson, or Corbin Burnes. The Brewers are all about results this year, and Nelson will need to produce to keep his place.