Peralta works 2 2/3 innings in rehab start
Right-hander could join rotation during final week of July
LOS ANGELES -- Brewers right-hander Wily Peralta faced 10 batters for Class A Wisconsin on Saturday, beginning a rehab assignment that tentatively will carry him back to the Major League pitching rotation by the final week of July.
Peralta has been on the disabled list since straining his left oblique on May 22 in Atlanta. His next start in the Minors will be at Double-A Biloxi, and Peralta will make at least one more start after that before potentially joining the Brewers during a weeklong road trip to Arizona and San Francisco.
"He's going to miss two months, and that's a big chunk of the season," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "But, you know, that's what his season is going to have to be this year. … He's in the prime of his career, for me. I know he's champing at the bit to get back. He's anxious to get back, and you look forward to it."
Peralta pitched 2 2/3 innings for the Timber Rattlers on the road against the Beloit Snappers, allowing one run on two hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Along with the four strikeouts, Peralta recorded three outs on the ground and one via a fly ball.
At the moment, the Brewers have only one other player on the disabled list. Reliever Brandon Kintzler was placed on the DL on May 29 with a right knee injury after the Brewers had originally designated him for assignment.
"Injuries, every team has them," Counsell said. "We're probably in a pretty good spot right now compared to most teams, if you look at it. It can never be an excuse, because they're part of it, but when you've got the guys you're counting on, on the field, it helps."