Brewers getting healthier as they open series with Mets

NEW YORK -- Slowly but surely, the Milwaukee Brewers are inching their way back to relatively full strength.

On Friday, as they opened a three-game weekend series with the New York Mets at Citi Field, the Brewers welcomed centerfielder Lorenzo Cain back to the lineup after a two-game absence.

They also had catcher Manny Piña available on an emergency basis as he continues to deal with a strained calf.

In addition, outfielder Christian Yelich continued making progress with his strained right oblique to the point that he could be reinstated from the 10-day disabled list as early as Sunday barring any setbacks.

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"That's part of the deal," manager Craig Counsell said when asked about the Brewers — still above .500 at 7-6 entering Friday — weathering the storm of injuries over the early part of the season.

"That's what we do. You've got to withstand guys getting hurt, and we've done a nice job of that. We feel like we have depth, but we've had some pretty significant pieces go down here in the first two weeks.

"But we've pulled out some wins. We're all right."

Yelich hasn't played since April 4 with his oblique issue and landed on the DL on Sunday. The move was made retroactive to April 5, meaning the first day Yelich can officially be moved back to the active roster is Sunday's series finale.

He hit in the cage and took fly balls and threw before Friday's game. If Yelich can do the same before Saturday's game, and take regular batting practice, his return would be considered imminent.

One possible wrench would be the weather Sunday; with rain expected, the Brewers might choose to be extra cautious and hold him out one more day.

"I'm doing good," Yelich said. "Definitely improving every day, so hopefully we're back on track whenever my little stint's up. I've been doing everything I'm supposed to do and haven't had any setbacks so far, so that's good news.

"I was more concerned with the hitting. Throwing's more maintenance and keeping that feel. Hitting was the biggest obstacle to begin with, and it went really well. So that's encouraging."

Said Counsell: "I'd say we're possible for Sunday. I wouldn't say we're for sure on Sunday. He's got to be able to get on the field and be able to throw at a good distance. Once he can do that, we're good."

Piña came out of Tuesday's game in the seventh inning with the calf issue and hasn't played since.

"I need to run a little bit and see," Piña said. "If I feel it a little bit, it'll be another day. If it feels good, then I'll play tomorrow.

"The running is the biggest thing. The squatting, the blocking, throwing to second base — everything is fine. It's just when I start to run hard. When I run slow I don't feel too much."

Jett Bandy has started in Piña's place. He's the only other catcher on the Brewers' 25-man roster, but Counsell said Piña could play in an emergency.

"We're going to be careful with Manny," said Counsell. "He could play in the game if he has to. That's kind of where we're at. We're going to try to sneak by some days and try to get him back to as close as 100% before we get him in there.

"I'd anticipate using Jett here for a couple days here, still."

If Piña doesn't show improvement by Saturday, however, the Brewers might be forced to shift him to the DL as well to give them two fully healthy backstops.

With Stephen Vogt still a ways from returning from his shoulder issue, the No. 3 catching option would be Christian Bethancourt at Class AAA Colorado Springs.