MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Brewers are moving closer to getting a pair of left-handers back from the disabled list as Tom Gorzelanny and Chris Narveson both took steps forward Tuesday.
Gorzelanny threw a simulated game to hitters on the field prior to Tuesday's game against Los Angeles, and he could be activated for Friday's game against Pittsburgh.
Brewers manager Ron Roenicke hadn't talked to Gorzelanny after the simulated game to determine if he's ready to return from left shoulder tendinitis that's had him on the disabled list since May 11. Because the DL move was retroactive to May 7, Gorzelanny is eligible to be reinstated Thursday, a day off for the Brewers.
"His arm feels fine," Roenicke said. "What he told me is if he didn't have command over the ball and we needed him to throw another he'd throw another."
Gorzelanny has been one of Milwaukee's more consistent bullpen arms, posting a 2.30 ERA in 15 2/3 innings this season. His return will provide a big boost to the bullpen, especially as versatile as he's been.
"He can go long for us, he can get out lefties," Roenicke said. "He was doing a little of everything. Right before the arm flared up he was mainly coming in late in the game and going through one or two lefties in the lineup and really pitching well."
While Gorzelanny's return seems imminent, Narveson is still a bit away from returning from a sprained middle finger on his left hand. On the disabled list since April 8, Narveson threw another bullpen session Tuesday.
The next step will be a simulated game on the field before Friday's game.
"It went real good," Narveson said. "It felt good. The finger felt good. I'll just take it day by day and see how it goes Friday against hitters.
"You are just trying to prepare yourself and get your body ready to pitch again. I've been doing everything else off the field to be able to maintain strength. You expect yourself to hit the ground running when you return to the mound."
If all goes well, Narveson could head out on a rehab assignment as soon as Monday. Plans haven't been made as to where he'll go, but Narveson said Nashville makes sense because the Sounds start an extended homestand Monday.
Narveson pitched just two innings out of the bullpen before suffering the finger sprain, but was planning to work in relief in order to limit the load on his surgically repaired pitching shoulder.
"I haven't heard anything yet," Narveson said as to if he'll return to the rotation or head to the bullpen. "I think we are just trying to get to the point where you're healthy and once we get to that rehab spot we'll kind of set up our progress for that."
Triple-A pitcher released: The Brewers released right-hander Chris Jakubauskas on Tuesday, ending the former Major League pitcher's time with the organization.
On the disabled list for Triple-A Nashville since May 8, Jakubauskas went 1-0 with a 3.28 ERA in eight games for the Sounds.
The 31-year-old spent parts of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons in the big leagues with Seattle, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Jakubauskas has a 5.58 ERA in 69 Major League games.
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