Cravy progressing, will join 'pen after DL stint

CLEVELAND -- Injured pitcher Tyler Cravy began a plyometric program on Wednesday that marked his first step toward returning to the mound for the Brewers, who plan to use Cravy in relief when he's healthy again.

That means someone else will join the rotation when the team clears this current portion of the schedule packed with off-days. The Brewers have been employing a four-man rotation for about the past week, and won't need a fifth starter until Sept. 5.

"We've got a couple different things we may do [with that spot]," manager Craig Counsell said. "We'll see how it goes. We're just going to be a little flexible going forward with how we'll use guys."

One candidate to make some of the remaining five or so starts from the No.5 slot is right-hander Zach Davies, a right-hander acquired on July 31 from the Orioles in the Gerardo Parra trade.

Cravy, meanwhile, will try to get healthy enough to join the bullpen. He was 0-3 with a 10.50 ERA in three August starts before the Brewers placed him on the DL on Aug. 19 with a right elbow impingement. He is eligible for reinstatement beginning Sept. 3. If all goes well, Counsell said, Cravy should be back soon after that date.