Nestor Cortes Injury: Sharp in second rehab start

Cortes (elbow) struck out two and allowed three hits and no walks over four scoreless innings in his rehab start Thursday with High-A Wisconsin.

The southpaw has pitched effectively over two rehab starts with Wisconsin and Triple-A Nashville, tossing seven scoreless frames with a 6:0 K:BB. He built up to 54 pitches (36 strikes) in Thursday's outing, and Cortes may need just one more outing to get stretched out before making his return from the 60-day injured list shortly after the All-Star break. Though the Brewers are flush with appealing rotation options, Cortes' strong track record over the last four seasons should be enough for him to reclaim a starting role. After being acquired in the Devin Williams trade this winter, Cortes made just two appearances for the Brewers before being placed on the IL on April 6 due to a left elbow flexor strain.