Brewers hoping to get former closer Corey Knebel right

The move could make room for fellow right-handed reliever Joakim Soria, who is due to be activated from the disabled list on Friday. Soria has been out due to a right groin strain.

The Milwaukee Brewers are hoping to get former closer Corey Knebel right, optioning the 2017 All-Star to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Thursday.

The move could make room for fellow right-handed reliever Joakim Soria, who is due to be activated from the disabled list on Friday. Soria has been out due to a right groin strain.

Knebel, 26, is 2-3 with a 5.08 ERA in 41 games this season, converting 14 of 17 save opportunities. He hasn't been entrusted with a save opportunity in nine appearances this month, and he has an 8.64 ERA in August.

"Corey is struggling right now, for sure," manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday. "It's a difficult one because the velocity has almost been better for a big chunk of this season, which makes it even odder in trying to diagnose this.

"His curveball has come and gone a little bit. It's been more inconsistent. There have been some outings where we really liked it, and then the last two, it wasn't so good. It comes down to executing pitches right now."

Knebel had 39 saves and a 1.78 ERA last season, striking out 126 in 76 innings pitched. Along the way, he struck out at least one batter in a single-season, major-league-record 45 consecutive games.

But Knebel has struggled from the start this season, and a lengthy stint on the disabled list for a left hamstring injury back in April didn't help matters.

While Knebel has said his confidence isn't an issue, Counsell believes otherwise.

"There's no question. I think that's part of it," Counsell said. "We all need to have a little bit of success and have a little bit of positive feedback."

The Brewers are 71-58 this season and in a virtual tie with the Colorado Rockies for the second wild card in the National League.

Milwaukee also optioned right-hander Zach Davies to Class-A Wisconsin. Davies, 25, had been on rehab as he looks to return from right rotator cuff inflammation. He was 2-5 with a 5.23 ERA in eight starts for the Brewers earlier this season.

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