MILWAUKEE -- When Aramis Ramirez makes his return to the lineup is still unclear, as the Milwaukee Brewers need to decide whether to bring the veteran third baseman back right away after a minor-league rehab assignment or give him a day off in between.
Ramirez is set to play Sunday and Monday for Class-A Wisconsin and could be activated from the disabled list to play for the Brewers against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday at Miller Park.
The Brewers could also decide to give Ramirez the day off Tuesday and activate him prior to Wednesday night's game in Minnesota.
"We've talked about both," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "I think it depends on what he does on Monday. If it is a DH spot, he may be able to come back Tuesday. If he wants to play (the field Monday), which I think he does, then maybe Tuesday is a nice day to give him off."
Having Ramirez return in Minnesota would allow him to serve as the designated hitter for at least one of the two games at Target Field. The Brewers are covered at third base with Mark Reynolds and could use the DH as a way to ease Ramirez back into the mix.
"I think it is there for him," Roenicke said. "It's a better way to keep him in there the whole game instead of playing him six innings or whatever."
With the top portion of Milwaukee's lineup hitting well at the current time, Roenicke has discussed the possibility of the third baseman hitting somewhere other than his usual cleanup spot with Ramirez.
Ramirez hasn't hit lower than the No. 4 spot since starting five games at the No. 5 spot in the lineup in 2011. With the Brewers, Ramirez has only started three games somewhere other than cleanup.
"I think it lets him be more open to maybe doing something," Roenicke said of Milwaukee's lineup clicking. "He actually brought it up, and then he was fine with how we are going to do this."
Gorzelanny update: With 12 days left on his minor-league rehab assignment, left-hander Tom Gorzelanny doesn't appear close to being ready to join the Brewers.
Roenicke received reports of Gorzelanny's velocity not being very high from the reliever's outing Friday for Triple-A Nashville. Gorzelanny allowed a hit and walked a batter in 2/3 of an inning against Colorado Springs.
"He's still not where he needs to be," Roenicke said. "There's a difference between adrenaline, coming up here and picking up a couple miles of hour. We're way different.
"It's velocity and command. They kind of go hand in hand. He's not where he needs to be."
Gorzelanny's 30 days on a rehab assignment ends June 12, but the Brewers don't need to activate him on that day. He would have to return from the minor leagues but could continue to work his way back through bullpen sessions and simulated games.
"Those are tough decisions," Roenicke said. "That's why I want to make sure he's ready before he comes here. There's no reason to bring him up in two days when he's where he is."
Positive step: After Wei-Chung Wang threw a scoreless eighth inning Friday night, Roenicke wanted to make sure he got the young left-hander out with a positive feeling rather than bring him back out for the ninth.
The Rule 5 selection threw a simulated game prior to Wednesday's game and admitted getting a chance to work on his offspeed pitches.
"It was helpful," Wang said through translator Jay Hsu. "I can use my changeup and curveball more because I worked on them.
"In the simulated game, for 'Rami' to stand in there was totally different than just a bullpen. I felt better because it was more like a simulated game."
Wang said he feels much more comfortable pitching at Miller Park than he does on the road, and his stats back the thought. The 22-year-old has yet to allow a run in four innings at home but has a 28.93 ERA (15 earned runs) in 4 2/3 innings on the road.
Roenicke said catcher Martin Maldonado came back into the dugout Friday and told the skipper Wang's stuff looked good after the eighth inning.
"I'm hoping that's good for his confidence going into wherever we need him again," Roenicke said. "We need this guy to pick up innings for us. We need him confident to where he can pick up innings."
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