Fresh off DL, Davis makes great grab
Counsell: Decision to sit hot-hitting Parra not easy
MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers reinstated outfielder Khris Davis from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and optioned right-hander David Goforth to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Davis, who collected a hit and narrowly missed a home run in the seventh inning of the Brewers' 4-3 loss to the Braves, tore the meniscus in his right knee swinging at a pitch during a game May 30. He played in five rehab games before Tuesday with Class A Wisconsin and will provide Brewers manager Craig Counsell with another outfield option.
"We look at our group of position players right now and think this is a pretty strong group," Counsell said. "Put Khris back in the mix and it's just a strong group. Every night you put the lineup together and you have some choices, but we have some very strong players on the bench."
The right-handed-hitting Davis received the start in the left over Gerardo Parra partly due to lefty Manny Banuelos starting for Atlanta. Davis also made a tremendous sliding catch near the left-field foul line in the eighth, displaying he has full confidence in his right knee.
"Khris had a great game," Counsell said. "He just missed two home runs, made a great play in left field. I thought he had a really nice game."
While Parra pinch-hit in the ninth, the move to sit him for Davis on Tuesday wasn't an easy one for Counsell.
Video: ATL@MIL: Parra's solo shot gets Brewers on the board
Entering Tuesday, Parra had produced six straight multi-hit games, the first Brewer to accomplish the feat since Brady Clark in 2005. He was batting .338 (76-for-225) since April 25, placing him behind only All-Stars Paul Goldschmidt (.360) and Bryce Harper (.359) in the National League.
"Quite honestly, it didn't make me feel good to take Gerardo out of the lineup," Counsell said. "He's been good for a long time, but especially in that leadoff spot. He's been exceptional."
While Counsell said Parra will receive the bulk of the playing time moving forward, Davis provides the Brewers with another bat off the bench after experiencing his first surgery.
"It was fun to play baseball again," Davis said about his rehab games. "I hit the ball hard, right at people, but I'm not far off. I'm ready to play and I missed it."