The Brewers hope to devise a schedule sometime in the next day or two that will lead to the return to action of injured closer Trevor Hoffman.
Hoffman, out with an oblique strain, has been on a schedule of playing catch for two days, then taking the third day off, increasing distances over time. Now, he appears ready to move forward. Even with that schedule to be determined, it is obvious that Hoffman will not be activated Saturday, when he is eligible to come off the DL. The all-time saves leader was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27.
"Will he be ready on the 11th? Probably not," manager Ken Macha said. "Let's wait until he gets on the mound and then we'll start looking at what the possibilities are.
"If he comes through that, (trainer) Roger (Caplinger) said they may be able to give you a plan for what's going to happen. It's going to be awhile."
In Hoffman's absence, Macha plans to give right-hander Carlos Villanueva first crack at closing games. Villanueva has not pitched previously in that role in the majors.
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