Brewers' Peralta takes a step forward

Wily Peralta's rehab process has taken longer than expected, but it appears it's nearing an end.

Peralta, on the disabled list since May 25 with an oblique strain, pitched to batters prior to Tuesday's game, according to Brewers.com.

He was great," Brewers manager Craig Counsell told Brewers.com. "It's the next step, facing hitters. To me, it was an easy, effortless session. He did a nice job."

Tuesday's development was a big one for Peralta,who now needs to prove he's healthy on a rehab assignment.

"He's going to have to make two to three rehab starts," Counsell said. "He's healthy, but in order to start a game for us, he has to have kind of a base under him in terms of pitches, which is going to take a couple of weeks to do. We can't activate him and have 50 pitches. He'll have to be able to throw 90 or so pitches."

(h/t Brewers.com)
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