Brewers: Two prized former prospects set to go on rehab assignments

The Brewers starting rotation is on the verge of getting one of their original members back while the outfield could soon be getting back a former top prospect. DL Hall, who hasn't pitched since April 20th with a knee sprain, is set to go on a rehab assignment.

This Sunday, Hall will make a rehab start with the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Joey Wiemer is in the starting lineup Thursday for the Triple-A Nashville sounds as he returns from a knee injury.

Hall, 25, was acquired alongside Joey Ortiz in the Corbin Burnes trade this February. In his first four starts this season, Hall had a 7.71 ERA in just 16.1 IP with 10 walks and 13 strikeouts.

It's hardly been a great first impression for Hall with his new team in those first four outings. Hall had been a reliever with Baltimore and is making the switch back to starting. His fastball velocity was down, averaging just 92.9 MPH. Last year, he averaged 95.7 MPH.

The knee injury may have played a role in his decreased velocity, but the command struggles also hurt him and that's been part of his profile all throughout his career. Ten walks in 16.1 IP is far too many and manager Pat Murphy noted before the IL stint that Hall needed to go deeper into games.

This week, Hall threw two simulated innings pregame in Milwaukee. Wade Miley told reporters that Hall's fastball was up to 95 MPH in the 35 pitch session. His recovery from that session has gone well enough for the Brewers to send him out on a rehab assignment.

The Brewers rotation quickly lost three of their original starters in April, with Jakob Junis and Wade Miley also on the injured list. Getting Hall back would put this rotation in a much better spot health-wise. His results will need to improve in order to stick in the rotation as arms like Bryse Wilson and Robert Gasser have filled the void quite well.

Hall will need to build back up his pitch count and will likely make multiple starts down on this rehab assignment not only to ensure his knee's stability, but to get innings under his belt. Whether all of those starts come with High-A Wisconsin or if he gets moved up to Double-A or Triple-A next remains to be seen.

Wiemer, meanwhile, was optioned to Triple-A to start the year, then was called up as injuries hit the position player group. Wiemer struggled in his limited playing time to the tune of a .174/.208/.174 slash line, then suffered a knee injury chasing after a ball back in the Cubs series.

Wiemer entered camp with a reworked swing setup and it's taken him a while to adjust and get into a groove at the plate. On this rehab assignment, Wiemer can get the everyday ABs he needs to feel more comfortable and then ideally force his way back onto the Brewers roster.