Pat Murphy offers encouraging Cooper Pratt update as Brice Turang returns to Brewers' lineup

What makes the Milwaukee Brewers' weekend series win over the reigning back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers is the fact that the Brew Crew accomplished the feat without their starting middle infield duo. Without rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt and star second baseman Brice Turang, the Brewers won three out of four games against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Injuries are not uncommon this time of year, when many teams are feeling the fatigue of the 162-game marathon. The Brewers are no exception. In addition to Pratt being on the IL with a hamstring strain and Turang missing all four games against the Dodgers due to pain in his left knee, Sal Frelick remains on the injured list due to a right shoulder strain he suffered in the first game back from the All-Star Break, and Abner Uribe landed on the IL with a forearm strain during the Brewers' West Coast road trip.

However, a light at the end of the tunnel that is this frustrating string of injuries is fast approaching. Frelick wasn't reinstated from the injured list ahead of tonight's series opener against the Seattle Mariners as some were expecting, but it sounds as if his return is nearing. Said manager Pat Murphy before tonight's game, "Sal needs to play a little bit more. We gotta make sure that after he has an aggressive day of throwing he feels fine." Murphy noted that Frelick felt soreness in his shoulder after his first day back throwing at full strength, but felt good after playing the field for the Nashville Sounds on Sunday.

Murphy's report suggests that Frelick will be back sooner rather than later, so long as he feels good after a few more rehab assignment starts. Frelick is set to resume his rehab assignment on Wednesday after working out with the team on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, updates on Turang and Pratt were even more encouraging than Frelick's news. Turang is back in the lineup tonight, and from the sound of it, Pratt could join the team as early as tomorrow.

Cooper Pratt could return to Brewers' lineup as early as Wednesday night if all goes well in rehab start with Timber Rattlers

The good news on Tuesday night began with Turang's reintroduction to the Brewers' lineup. Turang, who has been a key piece of the Brewers' success this year, will hit leadoff for Milwaukee tonight as they begin their two-series homestand with a matchup against Bryce Miller and the Seattle Mariners.

Murphy noted that the Brewers will have to be smart about how they use Turang during this upcoming stretch, saying, "It's something we gotta manage. We gotta manage his workload...manage his pre-games. He's a tireless worker pre-game. He's like old school pregame, every BP, every ground ball session, extra BP (batting practice), extra [swings] in the cage."

Adding Turang, who gives the offense a whole new look, back to the top of the batting order is certainly a huge boost for the Brewers, especially after their grueling stretch of 17 games in 17 days. However, it's not the only addition the Brewers are expected to make to their lineup during their series against the Mariners. According to Murphy, Pratt could return to the Brewers' roster as early as tomorrow night, but that encouraging update comes with a big caveat.

"If he feels it at all, there will be more games," said Murphy on Pratt's hamstring strain and his scheduled start with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers tonight. "He was tested a bunch during the week in LA, so we think we could see him back as early as tomorrow." Pratt was always expected to have a brief stint on the 10-day injured list, and a return to the lineup tomorrow would mean a minimum stay on the IL.

Pratt is expected to play just 5-7 innings with the Timber Rattlers tonight, and according to the Brewers' manager, if all goes well, he will take the short trip down I-41 to American Family Field last night.

Though the Brewers were able to tread water without their rookie shortstop for the last week and a half and without their star second baseman for the last four days, having both back in the lineup as early as Wednesday night is undoubtedly a welcome development for the Brew Crew. Turang was never placed on the IL, so a corresponding move was not required for his return, but the Brewers will have to part ways with someone to open a spot for Pratt's return. Newcomer Jonathan Ornelas is expected to be designated for assignment as the corresponding move, but given his breakout in Triple-A, the Brewers may be interested in keeping him in the organization should he clear waivers.

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