MILWAUKEE -- Junior Guerra continues to make progress on the right elbow inflammation that landed him on the DL this week, while a pair of injured Brewers look to return to the active roster in late August or early September.
Guerra played catch Saturday for the first time since being placed on the DL on Monday, manager Craig Counsell said prior to the game against the Reds.
The right-hander's health has progressively improved since experiencing inflammation following a start on Aug. 3. If his stint winds up spanning the minimum 15 days required, Guerra is eligible to return for the Crew next weekend at Seattle.
From the outset, the Brewers deemed the decision to put Guerra -- the team's top starter this season -- on the DL as precautionary.
"The progress has been good," Counsell said. "All positives so far."
Reliever Jacob Barnes (right elbow soreness) and infielder Will Middlebrooks (lower right leg strain) are able to participate in baseball activities as they work toward returns. Barnes is throwing, according to Counsell, while Middlebrooks has been active in pregame warmups and taken swings during early batting practice.
"[Barnes] and Will are probably close to the same time frame," Counsell said. "They might be a good week away from a rehab-type assignment. Ten days left in August type rehab assignment -- in that range."
Given that timetable, Barnes and Middlebrooks could be activated once rosters expand on Sept. 1. With active rosters able to accommodate up to 40 players at that date, the Brewers would not have to make a corresponding move.
Last call
• Outfielder Domingo Santana (right elbow soreness) will likely move up to a higher Minor League level next week as he continues a rehab assignment. Currently playing at Class A Wisconsin, Santana will need "20 to 30" plate appearances in the Minors before returning to the Brewers, after missing more than two months. Santana had accumulated 12 plate appearances during his rehab assignment entering Saturday.