Estrada's rehab back on track

MILWAUKEE -- Brewers manager Ron Roenicke had better news to report on Friday about right-hander Marco Estrada, who appears back on track in his return from a left hamstring injury.

Estrada, whose comeback was slowed before the All-Star break by back tightness, threw a successful bullpen session on Thursday, according to Roenicke, and will throw sessions on Saturday and Sunday, followed by live batting practice three days later. Assuming no more setbacks, Estrada would then begin a Minor League rehabilitation assignment expected to span three starts.

"The way it's mapped out, we're still looking at a couple weeks, maybe into August," Roenicke said. "The hamstring is OK, and the back is fine now. So we're basically starting him over like we would in Spring Training."

Estrada was the Brewers' No. 2 starter coming out of Spring Training and was 4-4 with a 5.32 ERA in his first 12 starts.