MILWAUKEE -- With Corey Knebel out for the season following Tommy John surgery and Jeremy Jeffress still working back to full strength, the Brewers needed a right-hander to rise to the top of their bullpen depth chart. So far, that has been erstwhile Opening Day starter Junior Guerra.

“There’s no question Junior has really stepped up in a big way,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He’s been resilient, durable, pitched big-leverage spots.

“He has been the glue of the bullpen, I guess is what I’d say.”

The latest evidence came on Tuesday, when Guerra took over for Jhoulys Chacin in the seventh inning against the Rockies with a 4-0 lead and struck out the first six batters he faced before running out of gas in a third inning of work in what became a 4-3 Brewers victory.

A day later, Counsell was second-guessing the decision to send Guerra back to the mound for the ninth. Josh Hader wound up taking over after two baserunners reached against Guerra and yielded an Ian Desmond home run that made it a one-run game before sealing the Brewers’ victory.

Even with two earned runs added to Guerra’s ledger, he has a 2.20 ERA and a .125 opponents’ average in his first 12 appearances this season, including nine scoreless outings. He was primarily a starting pitcher for the Brewers until midway through last season, even starting for Milwaukee on 2016 Opening Day.

Guerra mostly pitches with a fastball and a terrific splitter that serves as an offspeed strikeout pitch. He is throwing harder this year as a full-time reliever and has also introduced a curveball.

“Three-pitch relievers aren’t that common, and the fact he’s able to feel comfortable with three pitches coming out of the bullpen is another thing that makes him tough,” Counsell said. “What I like about Junior is there’s experience there from everything he’s done in the game. You know when he takes the mound he’s absolutely ready for every situation.”

Peralta ready to rejoin rotation
Before rejoining the rotation to start Thursday’s series finale against the Rockies at Miller Park, Freddy Peralta threw 75 pitches in a rehab start for Double-A Biloxi. He said he felt healthy, with no more discomfort of the joint between his sternum and right collarbone which prompted a stint on the 10-day injured list. He also used the outing to work on things like throwing curveballs for strikes, changeups when he was behind in the count, and all of the other small things that added up to a 7.13 ERA in his first four starts this season.

He doesn’t expect to be on a pitch count Thursday afternoon.

“I think I have no limits,” Peralta said. “I’m feeling really good and ready for it. You know, a lot of good things are happening right now. I hope to be one of those things.”

It’s a good spot to return to action. Peralta allowed two runs on three hits with 21 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings against Colorado last season, including a 13-strikeout Major League debut on Mother’s Day at Coors Field.

“We need innings, you know? We’re looking for anybody who can go out and deliver innings,” Counsell said. “In his good games, he’s getting deep into the game. Those are big nights for us.”

Yelich update
Right fielder Christian Yelich remained sidelined Wednesday by back stiffness but was headed in the right direction, according to Counsell. Since Yelich felt better, Brewers athletic trainers opted to ramp up his activity, with an eye toward returning him to the starting lineup for the weekend series against the Mets.

“They’re going to challenge him a little bit because he’s feeling good,” Counsell said.

Wilson, Petricka stick around
The Brewers announced that relievers Alex Wilson and Jake Petricka had each cleared waivers after being designated for assignment in recent days and have been outrighted to Triple-A San Antonio.

“They would like to be in the big leagues, I know,” Counsell said. “But organizationally, it’s depth. I really think we can get Alex Wilson on track. He’s been a pretty darn good Major League pitcher.”