Jeremy Jeffress has been a star in the Brewers bullpen even if he's not the closer

Jeremy Jeffress has yet to pitch in the ninth inning this season for the Milwaukee Brewers.

But in manager Craig Counsell's eyes, he's still doing closer-type work.

After holding the Reds scoreless in the Brewers' 2-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night – the ninth time he's blanked an opponent in 10 appearances – Jeffress sports an earned-run average and WHIP of 0.90 to go along with a 1-0 record.

The right-hander's value to the Brewers this season has been in his versatility.

He earned his victory by pitching a scoreless 10th and 11th innings on opening day in San Diego, and has also pitched in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth in a bullpen that's done a bang-up job despite being without all-star closer Corey Knebel since April 6.

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"I’m really pleased with how he’s throwing the baseball," Counsell said of Jeffress. "I’ve kind of looked at him as he’s been a closer in the middle innings, almost. That’s the role he’s assumed for us a little bit and he’s gotten some very big outs.

"Sometimes we don’t think these are big outs in the sixth inning, but he’s come in frequently with men on base and gotten out of innings with little damage. I think he’s thrown the ball really well and he’s become a really good option for us."

The fit between the Brewers and Jeffress has been well-chronicled. And after trading for him last season, Milwaukee brought Jeffress back again this year on a one-year, $1.7 million non-guaranteed deal that included club options for 2019 and '20.

Jeffress, 30, said he feels stronger and more flexible after incorporating Pilates into his off-season regimen. He's also down 11 pounds from last season to 206.

"I’ve learned from a lot of people," Jeffress said. "Preparation is one of the biggest keys, and paying attention to detail. As long as you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready."

He reported to spring training ahead of the game having already thrown a handful of bullpen sessions on his own and then didn't allow a run in eight Cactus League games (8 ⅔ innings, eight strikeouts).

Now, his 10 appearances are tied with Dan Jennings for tops in the Brewers' bullpen and his ERA is the best.

"He’s continued to pitch well," Counsell said. "I’m glad we’ve got him in a good place and I think he’s performed well. I think he’s in a really good place and we’ll try to keep him there."

Jeffress, who saved 27 games for the Brewers in 2016 before being traded to Texas along with Jonathan Lucroy, said he learned during his tenure with the Rangers to not get hung up on roles. That's a good idea on a team managed by Counsell, who refers to all his pitchers simply as "out-getters."

Counsell has spread the ninth inning around in save situations since Knebel went down, with Matt Albers, Josh Hader and Jacob Barnes each registering saves. Jeffress might eventually get the call, but don't expect him to lobby for the opportunity.

"I'm over trying to be somebody instead of just being who I am," he said. "It doesn’t matter who gets the ball. As long as we get the ball to the next person."

So far, so good: Left-hander Wade Miley made the first of what's likely to be two minor-league rehab starts Tuesday night as he continues his comeback from a left-groin injury he suffered late in spring training.

Miley threw 38 pitches over 2 ⅔ innings and allowed four hits, two runs (none earned) with two strikeouts for Class AA Biloxi. 

"Just really healthy was the report. He felt fine; kind of anxious for more," Counsell said. "He's in a good spot to continue on. We'll ramp him up quickly, and we feel like he can be fairly aggressive with moving up the pitch count. He had a pretty good base underneath him so we'll move him up pretty rapidly."

Miley, a non-roster invitee in the spring, appeared to have a spot in the starting rotation locked up before the injury. He and the Brewers came to an agreement after he was injured that allowed Miley to rehab and then make a few starts in the minor leagues.

He'll throw 55-60 pitches in his next start Sunday, and the Brewers should have an idea at that point whether they'll insert him into the rotation. If they don't, the two sides would part ways and Miley would become a free agent.

"I think we'll have a good determination after the next outing," Counsell said.

More injury news: Ryan Braun, who was limited to two at-bats over two games earlier in the week with a lower-back problem, sat out Wednesday's series finale with the Reds due to a left calf injury.

Braun missed 39 games in two stints on the disabled list last season with an injured left calf.

"It was bugging him last night a little bit, so we'll just treat it today and see what's going on," Counsell said. 

Knebel, who's been on the DL since April 6 with a left hamstring strain, is still in the early stages of his recovery. The initial timetable for his return to action was 6-8 weeks.

"He's playing light catch, but I don't have a timetable," Counsell said.