Estrada, Izturis, Ishikawa close to returning

Published Jun. 20, 2012 2:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

MILWAUKEE — After a season of mishaps, the Milwaukee Brewers might just be getting healthy.

On Tuesday, at least, it seemed that way, as Brewers manager Ron Roenicke updated the status of several injured playing, including newly hurting pitcher Shaun Marcum, who was scratched from his normal start on Tuesday due to elbow tightness.

While Marcum remained confident the injury is not serious, Roenicke said there's a chance Marcum could hit the disabled list — backdated 10 days — to allow for Milwaukee to bring up another fresh arm for the bullpen.

"I don't know if he's going to make (his next start) or not," Roenicke said. "It's definitely in question."

Whether Marcum goes to the DL could depend on whether injured pitcher Marco Estrada comes back to the rotation on June 26 as he's expected to. If that goes as planned, the Brewers could send down one of their other starters — likely Michael Fiers or Tyler Thornburg — and bring up the extra reliever.

Estrada will make a rehab start tomorrow in which he'll be limited to about 75 pitches. If it goes well, Estrada should return to the rotation, not long relief, Roenicke said.

As for the rest of the healing Brewers, Roenicke said shortstop Cesar Izturis and first baseman Travis Ishikawa are looking closer and closer to getting back in the lineup.

"They're close," Roenicke said. "Izzy, if everything goes well today (in his rehab start) should be able to join us in Chicago on Friday. Ishikawa will play probably tomorrow and the next day and if everything goes well there, he may join us Saturday. So that's what we're hoping if plans go well."

Plans have had a tendency to change for the Brewers on several occasions this season. But for the moment, it appears Milwaukee might just be close to getting a healthy squad back on the field.

Follow Ryan Kartje on Twitter.