Brewers provide clarity on Kyle Harrison's timeline as front office weighs rotation's internal options

Less than two weeks remain before MLB's midseason trade deadline, making the Milwaukee Brewers' recent string of injuries fall into the "poorly timed" category. The Brewers would love to have time to evaluate their returning players before having to make significant personnel decisions at the deadline, but it appears as if they won't be afforded that luxury.

After logging his first rehab start last night, infielder David Hamilton is planning on a return to the Brewers' roster sometime during this upcoming weekend's series against the Colorado Rockies. Meanwhile, outfielder Brandon Lockridge, who has resided on the IL since early May, is hoping for a return right around the August 3 trade deadline, as he's set to begin what will be a slightly longer rehab assignment in Triple-A tonight.

On the pitching side, the Brewers are hoping to return DL Hall, who has already turned in his first rehab appearance, before the end of the month, as he works back from a pectoral strain that landed him on the IL in early June. Additionally, breakout starter Kyle Harrison is starting to throw again after a flexor strain landed him on the IL shortly before the All-Star Break. The Brewers offered a clearer timeline for the 24-year-old southpaw yesterday, and while the clarity is welcome, it doesn't make the Brewers' trade deadline strategy any easier.

Left-hander Kyle Harrison expected to return to rotation shortly after Brewers make key trade deadline decisions

According to the Brewers, Harrison is hoping to throw a "4-up" live bating practice session this coming Saturday, July 25, before embarking on a rehab assignment on July 31. Such a timeline would put Harrison on schedule to return sometime in early August.

It's generally good news for Harrison, who shouldn't see his breakout season derailed for more than one month. However, for the Brewers' front office, the timeline is less than ideal. Once again atop the NL Central standings, and sitting just 0.5-game back of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in baseball as play begins on July 22, the Brewers are once again in position to buy at the trade deadline, and many are expecting them to pursue a top tier starter to bolster their inexperienced rotation in the postseason.

The Brewers have plenty of internal rotation options beyond Harrison and Jacob Misiorowski, who could fill the role of the team's No. 3 starter in the postseason: Logan Henderson, Brandon Sproat, Robert Gasser, Shane Drohan, and Coleman Crow. However, all of those arms lack experience, both in the major leagues and the postseason. To boost their World Series chances, the Brewers may need another top-tier option to pair with the formidable duo of Misiorowski and Harrison, especially if the latter's effectiveness is hampered by his ongoing stay on the injured list.

However, given Harrison's timeline, and the timeline of Hall for that matter, the team won't necessarily have time to evaluate the true nature of their pre-deadline pitching staff before making key trade decisions. Additionally, the acquisition of Lance McCullers during the All-Star Break further crowds the Brewers' stable of rotation options, while not necessarily providing them with the No. 3 option they need for the postseason. It's certainly possible McCullers regains his previous "postseason hero" form that he established with the Houston Astros, but more likely the Brewers will need to look externally if they want to add a clear-cut No. 3 to their rotation.

It's bound to be an exciting and consequential two weeks, during which many teams will have to decide whether they will be buyers or sellers before the trade deadline. While the Brewers clearly fall into the buyers category, they will have to navigate the deadline while several players make their returns from the IL.

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