MILWAUKEE — Brewers starting pitcher Shaun Marcum, originally expected to miss just a few starts during his time on the disabled list with soreness in his elbow, will now be out until after the All-Star break, according to Brewers manager Ron Roenicke.
The nagging injury, which has already cost Marcum two starts, remains just a matter of soreness. Roenicke said a second MRI didn't show any further damage. Marcum threw 35 pitches Friday from flat ground in order to evaluate his status.
"It's a little better, but (he) still felt it," Roenicke said. "I don't think he'll make a start before the All-Star break. I don't think there's any way we'll do that. But hopefully we'll get him to where he's confident that he can go out there, throw the ball and not feel anything."
With Marcum out, the Brewers are likely to lean on rookie fill-in starter Michael Fiers, who has been a strong replacement in five starts with the team.
Fiers is 2-2 with a 2.70 ERA in six games, striking 8.4 batters per nine innings. He currently owns the best ERA of any starter on the Brewers roster.
Milwaukee did get some good news on Friday to offset the Marcum news, as left fielder Ryan Braun returned to the lineup after missing Wednesday's game, when he was unable to bend his left elbow fully after being hit by a pitch on Tuesday. Roenicke said that the day off was a much-needed one for the Brewers' star player.
"He feels good today," Roenicke said.
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