MILWAUKEE -- Will the Brewers amend Christian Yelich's pattern of playing time now that he’s returned from a second back issue in less than a month? For now the answer is no, manager Craig Counsell said on Saturday.

“This last one was really a non-baseball issue,” said Counsell, referring to the back spasms that sidelined Yelich for the Brewers’ two-game series against the Reds this week. “It didn’t happen during activities. Christian will still have some days off, and some [designated hitter opportunities] in American League cities, but he’s going to play a whole bunch.”

Yelich was reliably durable in his final two seasons in Miami and his first season in Milwaukee, starting 92 percent of team games in the outfield during that three-year span. He did occasionally deal with back stiffness, including a bout just before last year’s All-Star break that preceded the sensational second half that propelled him to winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award.

Obviously, the Brewers are better when he is on the field. So far this season, he has started 70 percent of the Brewers’ first 53 games in the outfield and served as the DH in another. He missed six starts in late April and early May with back stiffness.

“I want to be out there every day,” Yelich said. “[The back is] just something you’ve got to stay on top of. This one wasn’t really that bad. It was a different spot, a completely different thing we were dealing with, and hopefully that’s behind us for the rest of the year, and we can just worry about being out there every day.

“We’re definitely talking about things to do, things to prevent it. The training staff’s great, and we’ve come up with a pretty good plan, so we’re just going to roll with it and do our best to stay on top of it.”

Pina nearing rehab assignment

It was a good sign when Manny Piña strolled through the dugout Saturday drenched in sweat. He is on the 10-day injured list with a strained right hamstring, but had a good day running in the outfield and catching bullpen sessions for Gio Gonzalez and Zach Davies.

With a few more good days, Pina will be ready for a rehab assignment.

“The last step will be running the bases, and we’ll do that in Minnesota,” said Counsell, referring to the Brewers’ two-day visit to play the Twins early next week. “If that all goes well, that’s when we’ll send him out on rehab. There’s a couple more steps to clear.”

“I’m feeling good,” Pina said. “I ran almost 100 percent, and it was just a little tight, but no pain or soreness.”

Shaw off to slow start at Triple-A

Third baseman Travis Shaw tallied one hit, a single, in his first 13 at-bats on rehab assignment with Triple-A San Antonio -- not exactly the start he was looking for after slumping to begin the season in the Major Leagues.

But it’s far too early to make any judgments, Counsell said.

“We’re going to let him play for awhile. That’s what’s important,” Counsell said.

Shaw was scheduled for a day off Saturday when the Missions opened a series in Memphis, but is expected to be back in action on Sunday.