Lohse aiming for Thursday return in Minnesota

MILWAUKEE -- Saturday would have been Kyle Lohse's turn in the Brewers' pitching rotation, but right elbow irritation forced him to miss a start.

The injury dates back to a start against the Cardinals on May 3, but Lohse said he threw some light catch on Saturday and is hoping to make his next start Thursday in Minnesota.

"It's kind of day by day," Lohse said. "[Returning Thursday] is what we're hoping for, that's what we're shooting for. It's hard to tell you right now."

The next step for Lohse is to throw a bullpen session on Monday, but Lohse said, "Don't hold me to that."

Lohse said he is trying to be smart about the injury by resting it now in the early part of the season.

"The worst thing to do is to keep irritating it when it doesn't feel right," he said. "To keep pushing is asking for a year-long thing."