Roenicke faces tough roster decisions

MILWAUKEE -- There have been a lot of moving parts on the Brewers' roster this season, and things are not going to get easier for manager Ron Roenicke.

With starters Yovani Gallardo and Tom Gorzelanny going down with injuries this week, the Brewers have a few roster decisions to make in the near future. The first question is who will get Gorzelanny's next scheduled start on Wednesday, but the real headache comes with the roster moves linked to anticipated returns from Aramis Ramirez and Marco Estrada.

"There's a lot that's going to happen in the next couple weeks with some pitchers coming back, if Aramis comes back, and trying to figure out the rotation," Roenicke said. "It's going to be difficult, I think, once everybody's back healthy."

With Gorzelanny doubtful to be ready for Wednesday, Roenicke pointed to a call-up from Triple-A Nashville as the likely solution. The two obvious choices, Johnny Hellweg and Jimmy Nelson, are starting for Nasvhille on Sunday and Monday, respectively. Estrada is also set to make what could be his final rehab start for the Sounds on Thursday.

Roenicke leaned toward a move with Nashville as opposed to pulling somebody out of the bullpen. In that scenario, the Brewers would drop a position player and move to a four-man bench.

"With the pitchers that are coming back -- if Gorzelanny can't go Wednesday -- I think we're going to have to have a pitcher [called up]," Roenicke said. "The different scenarios that we've talked about, I think that's probably a good chance that would happen."

Roenicke said it was not likely the Brewers would forego Estrada's Nashville start on Thursday to have him take Gorzelanny's start Wednesday, but he did not put it out of the question.

"I don't think we're thinking that right now, maybe things change," he said. "[Brewers GM] Doug [Melvin] was going to think about it after we talked yesterday and get back to me with what he thought would be best."

A DL stint is a possibility for Gorzelanny if he is unable to make his next scheduled start after Wednesday. Roenicke said the left-hander felt a little bit better Sunday, but he still had swelling in his left elbow two days after getting hit by a Jayson Werth line drive.

"If we have to worry about his next start, then we need to do something," Roenicke said.