Manny

Parra

Parra, who was limited to 73 1/3 IP in the minors this season, might eventually need surgery.

Parra returned from shoulder surgery two months ago and had a 2.96 ERA in 54 2/3 innings for Single-A Brevard County. How his shoulder holds up from here will determine whether he has a chance to become a starting pitcher in the majors. The talent is there.

Five of those 14 runs were charged to the left-hander, who surrendered four hits and two walks. Parra was boasting a 1.86 ERA entering the game. He will try to get back on track as the regular season begins.

Terms aren’t yet available. Parra, 29, didn’t throw a pitch in the majors last season and is currently making his way back from elbow surgery last August. If healthy, he’ll compete for a spot in the bullpen during spring training.

Parra agreed to the deal with the Brewers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration. The 29-year-old left-hander missed all of the 2011 season due to elbow surgery but will enter spring training this year with a clean bill of health.

Tough luck for Estrada, who tossed a scoreless top of the first. Stay tuned for an update on his status. Manny Parra replaced him out of the bullpen.

Parra has already sat out a week and won’t pitch until at least next Monday, but evidently the Brewers think that will likely be enough rest. “It’s way better but he still has a little bit of irritation there,” said Brewers manager Ron Roenicke. “They talked about kind of checking things out again on Monday.”

Estrada suffered a right hip flexor strain while running the bases in Wednesday’s 8-5 defeat of the Giants. It’s an injury that can be pretty uncomfortable for pitchers. Manny Parra is an option to fill in, as are minor leaguers Tyler Thornburg, Wily Peralta and Michael Fiers. Luck has not been kind to the Brew Crew so far in 2012.

It had looked like Manny Parra would get the call, but the Brewers evidently will leave him in the bullpen. Tom ‏Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel cautions, though, that the move isn’t official yet. Fiers holds a 4.42 ERA and 49/18 K/BB ratio over 55 innings at Triple-A Nashville.

The veteran right-hander hasn’t pitched since July 24 due to an impingement in his left shoulder. He’ll return to his familiar middle relief role with a 4.70 ERA and 51/23 K/BB ratio over 44 innings of work.