Brewers tempted to bring Weeks back early

Milwaukee Brewers all-star second baseman Rickie Weeks may still be two weeks or more away from regular duty, but that might not stop the team from activating him amid the stretch run. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said before Friday's game with the Houston Astros that the team has had discussions about bringing Weeks back a bit early to serve exclusively as a pinch hitter. Roenicke said Weeks could be ready for full-time duty by the middle of September, but he may consider bringing him back a week or so before that point. "If we're setting him back from being a full-time guy then I dont think it's smart to do it," Roenicke said. "But if that isn't setting him back at all doing that, then that may be a possibility. It doesn't hurt us to activate him any time." With September rosters expanded, the Brewers could activate Weeks and simply not use him. But Weeks is doing well in batting practice and the Brewers could use his batWeeks hit .272 with 43 RBI and 19 home runs before suffering a severely sprained left ankle July 27and simply insert a pinch-runner for him should he reach base safely. The problem, Roenicke said, would be making sure Weeks didn't strain himself pursuing an extra-base hit if he hit a ball into a gap. "That's the problem; he's going to have to just go easy on it," Roenicke said. "We've talked about it and there's issues both ways that give it some merit, I guess, as to why you would do it." Weeks is still only running straight ahead. Running at angles and turning on his left ankle are still an issue, thus limiting him as an infielder and base runner. Legging out an infield single against the Chicago Cubs in late July, Weeks landed awkwardly and fell to the ground. Though he didn't appear to be in much pain initially, X-rays revealed a severely sprained ankle. Weeks has pushed hard to rehab fast and both he and the team expect him back before the regular season is over. Still, Roenicke said he isn't quite ready to fully entertain the idea of bring Weeks off the 15-day disabled list. "Were not really at that point where I'm thinking about it yet," Roenicke said. "Watching him out there, he's got to get better at what he's doing before I would think about that. "It's real tempting." With Weeks still out, Jerry Hairston Jr. has received the majority of starts at second base. Since Weeks went on the D.L., the Brewers have gone 25-8. FOX Sports Wisconsin's Craig Coshun contributed to this report.