MILWAUKEE -- Jhoulys Chacin’s streak of winless starts stretched to 12 on Wednesday afternoon after he was forced from an eventual 5-4 Brewers win over the Reds with a right rib cage injury that will “very likely” land him on the 10-day injured list, according to manager Craig Counsell. 

Chacin allowed a run in each of his three innings of mound work before he was injured swinging the bat in the bottom of the third inning. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI scan Wednesday night, and the Brewers were planning to get through their big weekend series against the Cubs before figuring out what to do about a depleted rotation already missing top starter Brandon Woodruff. He was shelved until at least early September by a left oblique strain before Chacin went down Wednesday with a similar injury to the other side. 

Adrian Houser is the top internal candidate to take one of those spots. Milwaukee will consider restoring Freddy Peralta to the rotation, though he has been so effective in relief, including logging his first career save Wednesday, that the club may opt to keep him in the bullpen. Next week’s Trade Deadline also offers an avenue to fill a spot, since the Brewers have been scouting starters.

“Our early thoughts is we’re set up for the Cubs weekend,” Counsell said. “The Oakland series is five to six days away at this point. We’re going to have to find someone to do that, but we’ve got some time. … It puts us in a bind right now.”

Chacin, Milwaukee’s struggling Opening Day starter, was charged with four runs (three earned) on six hits in three innings and 69 pitches before leaving the game. He allowed two runs in the first inning, then, after Ryan Braun’s two-run homer tied it in the bottom of the frame, Chacin surrendered a run apiece in the second and third. His ERA ticked up to 5.79.

The outing came five days after Chacin allowed seven runs (six earned) in 2 1/3 innings at Arizona, and for at least the second time this season, his own standing in the Brewers' starting rotation was called into doubt. He previously was on the 10-day injured list this season for lower back stiffness.

“You never know when injuries can happen,” Chacin said. “I was feeling fine. It is more frustrating that it happened swinging. I don’t know what I could do. Maybe swing easier or something. I don’t know. Hopefully, it’s nothing major like 'Woody.'”

Milwaukee’s three healthy starters are scheduled to start against Chicago: Gio Gonzalez in Friday’s series opener, followed by Chase Anderson on Saturday and Zach Davies on Sunday.

The most intriguing candidate to join that group is suddenly Peralta, who began the season in the rotation, but was bounced to the bullpen after posting a 7.07 ERA in eight starts. He has a 2.25 ERA in 15 appearances as a reliever, including five straight scoreless outings. Considering the state of their bullpen, the Brewers would prefer to leave Peralta there. But need may dictate that he starts.

“I don’t think we can rule anything out,” Counsell said. “We’ve got three healthy starters right now. [Moving Peralta back to the rotation] is a possibility, for sure. We’re in a bind there.”