Narveson to DL; De La Cruz promoted

ST. LOUIS -- The Milwaukee Brewers placed starting pitcher Chris Narveson on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday following an odd accident that required eight stitches in his left thumb. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Friday's starting pitcher is not yet decided, but the Brewers recalled Eulogio "Frankie" De La Cruz from Triple-A Nashville to take Narveson's roster spot. De La Cruz, a right-hander, was to join the team after Wednesday's game. Narveson suffered the deep cut at Busch Stadium on Tuesday while working with a pair of scissors to trim the laces on his glove. The left-hander explained that it was not actually the sharp edge of the scissors that cut his thumb. "I guess the screw (holding the scissors together) stuck up a little bit and my finger caught the serrated edge of the screw," Narveson said Wednesday. "It was actually the bolt. It wasn't the scissors, so that's what was crazy about it." Narveson's thumb was wrapped and in a splint Wednesday. Roenicke said the team expects Narveson to miss at least three starts, but it all depends on how the cut heals, particularly after the stitches come out. Roenicke said a week to10 days is a typical time frame for healing once stitches come out, but it's all on a very individual basis. He also said there's a chance Narveson could come off the D.L. right after the 15-day mark "if everything goes right." "I just don't know how long after you get (the stitches) out how long it takes," Roenicke said. "Pitching is feel. It's a dexterity you have that a different pitch is to be able to throw one in the dirt and one for a strike. If you don't have that great feel, you're not able to do that." Roenicke also said Narveson may need a minor league rehab start before moving back into the rotation. As for Friday's start, Roenicke said it would likely come down to De La Cruz, Marco Estrada or Zack Greinke. Greinke would be starting on normal rest after the Monday off day, and Estrada started four games at the beginning of the season when Greinke was on the D.L. Estrada went 1-1 with a 4.78 ERA. The Brewers have used just six starting pitchers this season, tied for fewest in the National League. Roenicke saw De La Cruzin spring training and said he brings a power fastball in the mid-90s along with a solid changeup. With Nashville this season, De La Cruz was 7-6 with a 3.88 ERA in 23 starts. He has allowed one or fewer runs in at least six innings in three of his last four starts. The 27-year old Dominican Republic native has pitched in 15 major league games with the Tigers, Marlins and Padres and spent last season in Japan. With the Brewers holding a four-game lead in the National League Central this late in the season for the first time since Sept. 29, 1982, Narveson said the timing of the injury is the most frustrating part. However, he was fortunate that the cut came on his thumb, which is less crucial to throwing comfortably. "I think it's easier the fact that it's on the thumb and not (the other) fingers," Narveson said. "I don't think it will be that big of a deal. I think it's a good thing that it's the thumb. It's just unfortunate that it happened. "I feel terrible about it. It's things like this you never plan on." This season, Narveson is 8-6 with a 4.49 ERA in 23 starts.