Fiery setup man Uribe returns to Brewers for key rivalry set

CHICAGO – The Brewers activated ace setup man Abner Uribe from the 15-day injured list on Monday, and there’s no easing him back into bullpen duty. He returned for duty on the day the team opened a big series against the rival Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Is that a particular challenge for a player who pitches with emotion in high-leverage situations?

“Not him,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “I have such belief in this cat, it’s unbelievable. Of any guy on this team, people don’t realize how valuable this dude is.”

That was evident to the Brewers at this time last year, when All-Star closer Trevor Megill was sidelined by a right flexor strain. Uribe stepped into closer duties and delivered a 1.38 ERA and five saves in his final 13 appearances of the regular season, then picked up another (two-inning) save in the Brewers’ win over the Cubs in Game 5 of the NLDS, sending Milwaukee to the NLCS against the Dodgers.

Megill has re-established himself as Milwaukee’s closer this season, but a healthy Uribe would help greatly down the stretch. He went into Monday night with a 2.05 ERA in 49 appearances this season.

The Brewers will get another late-inning bullpen arm back from the IL on Tuesday, when they are expected to activate left-hander JoJo Romero as rosters expand from 26 to 28 for September. Catcher Bo Naylor is the most likely position player on the way to the big leagues.

Romero was already on the IL recovering from an appendectomy when the Brewers acquired him from the Cardinals at the Trade Deadline.