Brewers right-hander Aaron Civale looked sharp in his first rehab start for Triple-A Nashville on Thursday night, tossing four scoreless innings as he works his way back from a strained left hamstring.
Civale allowed just one hit and one walk while stretching out to 50 pitches in his first game action in more than five weeks. He weaved in a five-pitch mix -- four-seamer, sinker, cutter, curveball and splitter -- and looked best in his final frame, striking out the side.
Civale, 29, has been on the 15-day injured list since March 31. He was tagged for five runs across three innings in his lone start of the year on March 30 against the Yankees, which he exited prematurely.
Civale emerged as one of Milwaukee’s most-consistent arms in the second half of the 2024 season, after coming over from the Rays in a trade on July 3. He pitched to a 3.53 ERA in 14 starts.
His eventual return should boost a Brewers rotation that has stabilized following a siege of early-season injuries. Milwaukee’s starting pitchers have combined for a 3.77 ERA, which is 11th-best in the Majors.
More reinforcements are looming, too. Brandon Woodruff is nearing a long-awaited return from right shoulder surgery, while DL Hall (left lat strain) began a rehab assignment on Saturday.