MILWAUKEE -- After posting poor results in his first three starts back from shoulder surgery, Jimmy Nelson will continue his comeback in the Brewers’ bullpen.

And after continuing to struggle in the Brewers’ bullpen, Corbin Burnes is headed back to the Minor Leagues.

The Brewers optioned Burnes to Triple-A San Antonio on Saturday and called up right-hander Aaron Wilkerson, one candidate to claim Nelson’s spot in the starting rotation as early as Wednesday against the Mariners and as late as Saturday against the Pirates, depending on how the Brewers opt to order their pitching in this final homestand before the All-Star break.

The decision to pull the plug on Nelson as a starter came after president of baseball operations David Stearns and manager Craig Counsell consulted with the right-hander, who had the right to block an optional assignment to the Minors by virtue of having more than five years of Major League service. Stearns said they discussed a number of possibilities before mutually agreeing to the 'pen move.

“Look, this is a new transition for Jimmy. It’s not something he’s done,” Stearns said. “It’s not something he’s done. It’s something he’s open to, he wants to do. But this is something we’re going to have to continue to evaluate.”

Asked whether the Brewers’ preference was for Nelson to go to the Minors, Stearns said, “We had a long conversation with Jimmy. Multiple conversations. We discussed a variety of different topics. Jimmy is at the point of his career where he controls his movement, and we certainly respect that.”

In his first three Major League starts after missing parts of three years following shoulder surgery, Nelson was 0-2 with a 9.75 ERA and 2.17 WHIP.

Nelson is famously routine-oriented, which is one reason the Brewers always intended to bring him back as a starter when he was ready. Now, Nelson will have to adapt.

“That’s the part that I’m a little excited about, and Jimmy is excited about: To get out of that routine,” manager Craig Counsell said. “It’s a challenge, and a good challenge for him that he thinks can help him in all parts of his game. Find some new ways to do some things, to switch it up. He’s looking forward to that part of it as much as anything. ‘I don’t know what to expect. I can’t plan everything.’ That’s a good thing.”

As for Burnes, he may start some games for San Antonio but will continue to pitch in shorter stints. That’s an indication the Brewers view him as a bullpen option should he return to the Majors this season.

“I think long-term, we’re still pretty optimistic about what Corbin is going to do for us,” Stearns said. “First and foremost, Corbin would love for it to be now, and we certainly would as well. But as challenging as it is for us to internalize right now, this is not unusual for young starting pitchers. We’ve seen a lot of guys -- successful guys -- go through this.”

The Brewers have removed three pitchers because of performance: Burnes, Nelson and Freddy Peralta. With the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline less than six weeks away, Stearns was asked whether the team is reaching the end of its internal pitching depth.

“Our answers need to come internally, and they need to come from guys who are here pitching better,” Stearns said. “That’s the reality of the situation. Over the next six weeks, we may be able to supplement the team in various ways, including pitching in one capacity or another. But we need to pitch better, and it starts with the guys who are here right now.”

Kids take the field at Miller Park

Major League Baseball and the Brewers hosted the annual MLB Pitch, Hit & Run competition at Miller Park on Saturday and honored several youngsters who won their respective divisions.

Pitch, Hit & Run is MLB's official youth skills competition. The top 12 baseball and top 12 softball qualifiers from Wisconsin competed at Chase Field with hopes of advancing to the National Finals during 2019 MLB All-Star Week in Cleveland.

7- and 8-year-old Softball Division: Lilli Lauersdorf of Watertown, Wis.
7- and 8-year-old Baseball Division: Caden Pauli of Fairfax, Iowa
9- and 10-year-old Softball Division: Nola Tylke of Lisbon, Wis.
9- and 10-year-old Baseball Division: Caden Keller of Lone Rock, Wis.
11- and 12-year-old Softball Division: Diana Hendrickson of Hollandale, Wis.
11- and 12-year-old Baseball Division: Braylan Roder of McFarland, Wis.
13- and 14-year-old Softball Division: Sommer Krull of New London, Wis.
13- and 14-year-old Baseball Division: Carter Young of Clintonville, Wis.