ST. LOUIS -- Brewers officials said earlier in the week they don't expect Jimmy Nelson to pitch in the Major Leagues this season. But that hasn't halted Nelson's comeback from right shoulder surgery. He reached a milestone on Saturday afternoon when he threw a bona fide bullpen session. During previous mound sessions, the catcher was standing.
What did Nelson think about general manager David Stearns and skipper Craig Counsell informing fans it was "unlikely" he would pitch in the Majors this season?
"I [didn't] really think about it," Nelson said. "The one thing I've realized in this process is that you want to have goals. But when you let your goals turn into expectations, it can set you up for failure. So your goal and your expectation should be just to make the most of the current day."
Last call
• Banged-up position players Ryan Braun (right side), Manny Pina (left shoulder) and Eric Thames (right knee) all took swings on Saturday and are expected to avoid the 10-day disabled list. Thames, who was hurt in a two-part collision with Lorenzo Cain and the outfield wall in Friday's loss, said his neck and shoulder were sore in addition to his knee, but insisted he was available off the bench.
• Zach Davies said he felt better in his most recent rehab start than his pitching line indicated, saying the sharp pain he'd been experiencing in his back was no longer present when he pitched. Davies was still dealing with postgame soreness and stiffness, however, so the Brewers are sending him for one more rehab start before they consider bringing the right-hander back from the DL. That outing is scheduled for Wednesday at Double-A Biloxi.
After that, Davies' rehab assignment is up. He has not been told what will come next.
"We'll wait to decide what's next. It's kind of open ended," Counsell said. "I think Zach is in a spot where he needs to pitch and get out there. His health has obviously been a struggle this year. He needs to be out there every five days, and now I think he's getting to a better place. But I don't think he's there yet."