Some things to read while getting that long-awaited promotion.

Well, today is the day you may or may not have been waiting for, as Jeff Suppan returns from the DL to make his first start since July 27. Even before going on the DL, Suppan had gone nearly a month and a half without a win (dating back to June 12), and was knocked around in two rehab starts before being activated. I haven't decided on my evening plans yet, but I think it's fair to say this: If you're only going to miss one Brewer game this season, tonight might be a good one to skip.

No roster move has been annnounced to make room for Suppan, but it's being assumed that a position player will be sent down to give the Brewers an extra bullpen arm for what could be a long week. That player will most likely be Hernan Iribarren. Nats320 enjoyed watching Iribarren play this week, mostly because of his name.

Collin Balester shut the Brewers down for five innings yesterday before the Brewers broke through in the sixth. Even with the rough conclusion, it was a huge improvement over his previous outing and Baseball Musings notes that Balester did it while working on a small change at the end of his delivery. Balester has posted a 4.91 ERA in 11 innings against the Brewers this season and a 7.92 ERA against the rest of baseball.

The Brewers will face a depleted Reds roster this week, for whatever that's worth: In the last week, they had already placed Willy Taveras, Johnny Cueto and Aaron Harang on the DL, and yesterday outfielder Chris Dickerson (ankle) and catcher Ryan Hanigan (hit by foul ball) joined them.

Dave Bush is expected to return from the DL on Thursday for the final game in this series, and while the game was previously going to go untelevised, FS Wisconsin has picked it up, so we'll all be able to see how he looks in his return.

Despite winning three of four this weekend, the Brewers moved up a few spots and are now projected to draft #12 in Andy Seiler's 2010 draft projection.

On power rankings and playoff odds:

• WhatifSports dropped the Brewers two spots to #19.
• The Sporting News has the Brewers at #18.
• Cool Standings gives the Brewers a 1% shot at making the playoffs.

Once each year, TangoTiger asks fans to help evaluate defense as part of the Fans Scouting Report. This year's evaluation forms are open, but just 11 Brewer fans have checked in to help rate the players we watch everyday. Take a moment today to add your thoughts.

Around baseball:

Blue Jays: Placed Edwin Encarnacion on the DL with a hamstring strain.
Royals: Released reliever Ron Mahay.

This seems doubly appropriate on the day of the return of Jeff Suppan: MGL wonders if elevating a pitcher's pitch count is always a good move. In the case of a below average starter (see Suppan, Jeff), teams might actually be handicapping themselves by chasing them from the game faster and moving to a potentially more effective bullpen pitcher.

This year's Arizona Fall League may have significantly more star power than usual. On top of the expected professional debut of Stephen Strasburg, the Braves are now expected to send Jason Heyward, baseball's #1 prospect, to play in the league.

Ever wonder what it's like to be on the road with a MLB team? Alyson Footer is on the road with the Astros for the next ten days, taking lots of pictures and detailing the life of a traveling major leaguer. Interesting stuff.

Happy birthday today to Rollie Fingers, who turns 63. Also, Sam Narron, who pitched for the Cardinals in the 30's and 40's and is the grandfather of the Brewer farmhand with the same name, would have turned 96 today.

That's all I have for you today, unless you wanted to read about Brandon Inge's tattoos.

Drink up.