Estrada, Narveson nearing return from DL

HOUSTON -- Barring a setback, the Brewers should get pitchers Marco Estrada and Chris Narveson back from the disabled list during the team's next homestand.

Estrada, sidelined by a strained left hamstring, threw a 45-pitch side session at Miller Park on Monday and, if he receives clearance from head team physician William Raasch in a visit scheduled for Wednesday, will pitch at Class A Wisconsin on Thursday night when the Timber Rattlers begin the second half at home against Cedar Rapids. Estrada will probably need only one start before returning to the Brewers' starting rotation, manager Ron Roenicke said.

Narveson who has been out since early April with a sprained finger on his pitching hand, has already sufficiently built his pitch count, but the Brewers would like to see him have more success before returning. Narveson pitched to an 8.31 ERA and a 1.692 WHIP in his first four Triple-A starts.

"If we're going to take him here, we need to see [better results]," said Roenicke, who could not guarantee that Narveson would join the starting rotation.

"I don't want to definitely say that," Roenicke said. "We'll see what happens."

Another rehabbing pitcher, right-hander Hiram Burgos (shoulder) , allowed two runs on five hits in four innings on Tuesday at advanced Class A Brevard County, in his second rehab start. He will pitch once more on that assignment, but it was unclear whether the Brewers would bring him back to the big leagues or option him back to Triple-A once he's healthy.

The Brewers are currently operating with four starting pitchers and will need a fifth on Saturday against the Braves, but are planning to use a reliever like Tom Gorzelanny or Donovan Hand for a spot start in that game, assuming the bullpen isn't taxed in the days prior.

"It's certainly simpler," Roenicke said. "If we bring somebody up, we've got to make a move, we've got to send somebody out. That's what we're trying to avoid doing."