The Milwaukee Brewers have activated right-handed pitcher Adrian Houser from the 15-day injured list, the team announced Thursday.
To make room for Houser, right-handed pitcher Colin Rea has been optioned to Triple-A Nashville. The team also announced that left-handed pitcher Aaron Ashby has been sent to Double-A Biloxi on a rehab assignment.
Houser drew the start Thursday against the Miami Marlins. He gave up a run in the first inning, then held the Marlins off the scoreboard until the fifth, when they tacked on another.
The 30-year-old veteran allowed five hits and two earned runs with five strikeouts in 5.0 innings before he got relieved by Elvis Peguero.
Houser hit the injured list with right elbow effusion on Aug. 28. It was his second IL stint of the year, as he didn't make his season debut until May 7 due to right groin tightness.
In 20 starts this season, Houser is 5-4 with a 4.53 ERA, 1.458 WHIP and 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
Houser has been a mainstay in the Brewers' rotation since 2019, although he has yet to exceed 150 innings in a single season. Houser owned a 3.73 career ERA entering 2022, but he has just a 4.66 ERA since.
Rea had been holding onto a role in the starting rotation during Houser's absence, but he held a 5.25 ERA over the last two months. He got bumped to the bullpen on Wednesday and sent down Thursday.
Houser's return completes a rotation that already boasted Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta, Brandon Woodruff and Wide Miley, all of whom have ERAs under 3.80.
The Brewers are 4.0 games up on the Chicago Cubs in the race for the NL Central crown. They have a 6.0-game cushion on a playoff spot with 16 games left in the season.
Milwaukee currently leads Miami 3-2 in the top of the sixth inning.
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