Healing Brewers will force tough roster decisions

With the addition of infielder Josh Wilson and the return of outfielder Nyjer Morgan last week, the Milwaukee Brewers' roster finally found some balance. With the standard mix of position players, starting pitchers, relievers and reserves, the Brewers have a newfound flexibility.But as quickly as the roster balanced out, it could just as soon see more changes as multiple players get healthy and prepare for returns to the major leagues. With Takashi Saito, Zach Braddock and Erick Almonte nearly ready, the Brewers will be forced to make some tough decisions.Saito threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday in Cincinnati and manager Ron Roenicke said the veteran right-hander felt good afterward. Barring setbacks, Saito will throw another bullpen Friday in Florida before throwing a simulated game some time after.The 41-year-old, who signed a one-year contract worth around 3 million during the offseason, made just two appearances for the Brewers before going on the disabled list with hamstring tightness. Right before his scheduled return, Saito strained his left oblique during a rehab assignment.Another reliever, the left-handed Braddock, continued his rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday. He struggled in the outing, getting just two outs before leaving with the bases loaded. All three base runners reached on walks. Donovan Hand got Nashville out of the inning unscathed.Braddock, who has been battling a sleep disorder since early May, also threw an inning Sunday and struck out the three batters he faced. Roenicke said over the weekend that Braddock could return at the end of this week if he responds well to pitching Wednesday, giving him back-to-back outings.With Saito and Braddock almost ready to return, plus Brandon Kintzler and Mitch Stetter possibly close behind them, the Brewer bullpen should again see some shuffling. Relative newcomers Tim Dillard and Mike McClendon are likely to be displaced, but the limited room could keep Kintzler or Stetter in the minors.With the bullpen still without a left-hander, room will certainly be made for at least one southpaw, something the Brewers would have liked to have against tough Reds left-handed hitters Jay Bruce and Joey Votto.Braddock was not the only Brewers major leaguer in the Sounds' lineup Tuesday as Almonte started his fourth straight game with the team. Almonte has been out of action since suffering a concussion April 26. So far, Almonte is 2-for-10 with two RBIs, a double, one run scored and a walk.No indication has been given as to when Almonte could return, but with Morgan and Mark Kotsay on the bench, finding a place for him could prove tricky. Roenicke likes having a second infielder on the roster in Wilson, creating more options for pinch hitting.With so many players on the mend, there is certain to be more than one odd man out. As they look to hold the ground gained during their recent 15-4 stretch, the Brewers certainly have some thinking to do.