Bush may be skipped...another rotation possibility

Adam McCalvy reported on Sunday:

The Brewers' starting pitcher for Thursday is "to be announced," manager Ken Macha said, a strong indication that Dave Bush could be bumped from his scheduled start against the Twins to rest his fatigued right arm.

...the Brewers' starting rotation is in limbo, and Macha will meet with general manager Doug Melvin, assistant GM Gord Ash and the coaching staff early Tuesday afternoon at Miller Park to discuss their options.

Melvin has been looking hard at potential trades, but it appears unlikely that he will be able to acquire a starter as early as this week

Macha reiterated on Sunday that he would rather leave Seth McClung in the bullpen, where he has been a key to that unit's success this season. Entering the season, McClung was told he was the "sixth starter," the first line of defense should the team need an extra arm.

"Seth, for me, has given us so much out of that bullpen," Macha said. "I don't want to make it sound like because he's done so good in the bullpen, we're going to punish him and not [let him] be a starter."

If McClung stays put, the Brewers would have to dip down to the Minors, probably Triple-A Nashville. Right-hander Mike Burns, who worked four innings in his only appearance during a brief stint with the Brewers this month, could take Bush's place on Thursday on regular rest. He allowed three runs, only one of them earned, in 7 1/3 innings for Nashville on Saturday night, but he was denied the win by a blown save. Burns, who is already on the 40-man roster, has nine quality starts in the Minors this year and a 2.55 ERA.

Is Burns the leading candidate to pitch on Thursday?

"I'm not going to say that, no," Macha said.

Other possibilities include Parra, who pitched six innings in his Triple-A season debut on Wednesday and is scheduled to pitch again on Tuesday. Right-hander Tim Dillard or left-hander Lindsay Gulin might also be discussed.

What about Chris Cody?  I mean, if the Tigers can successfully promote Alfredo Figaro from AA Erie to face the Brewers on Saturday, isn't Cody an equally viable option?

Plus, if Bush gets put on the DL, Cody--who pitched on Friday night--could take Bush's spot in the rotation on Thursday night and go on five days rest, and then Burns could go Saturday night on six days rest; if Bush needs just a couple extra days, then Burns on Thursday night is viable.  But if Bush needs more time to heal, both need to be called up.

But it looks like somebody is going to get their shot...and Cody has put up far better numbers than either Dillard or Gulin...Cody and Burns should be the players called up.