PITTSBURGH - If all goes according to plan, Eric Sogard could be back on the field on a minor-league rehab stint as soon as Wednesday.

The Milwaukee Brewers second baseman did some pain-free running before Monday's game with the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park – his first on-field activity since receiving a cortisone shot in his injured left ankle Friday.

He also took regular batting practice with the team. If he's able to make it through Tuesday without any significant setbacks, he'd then be sent out for a brief rehab assignment before being reinstated from the 10-day disabled list.

"I think after tomorrow we’ll make a determination what’s next," manager Craig Counsell said. "So far today’s been a positive day, but that’s where we’re at. We’ve got to string a couple together. We’re at the point where we would try to get Eric ready for a short rehab assignment.

"He needs to be able to do everything full-speed, and we’ve got to get to that point. And until we get to that point, we have to go slow. It’s not a hamstring strain; it’s a little bit more of a difficult injury."

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Sogard was a revelation both as a leadoff hitter and at second base for the Brewers prior to his injury; his .331 average and .438 on-base percentage are both tops among regulars on the team.

He said after Monday's 4-2 loss that he was encouraged by what he was able to do.

"Everything went very well," he said. "We'll ramp it up again tomorrow and if that feels good I'll go out Wednesday or Thursday for 1-2 rehab games.

"Hopefully I can go for the Philly series (this weekend). I'm excited."

Jonathan Villar, who opened the season as the starter before being supplanted by Sogard, saw his eight-game hitting streak come to an end Tuesday after an 0-for-5 night.

Strong base: Orlando Arcia entered Monday needing one more homer to become the seventh Brewers player to reach double digits for the season.

Considering Arcia had never hit more than eight in any minor-league season, the power he's flashed so far has been an unexpected positive – especially hitting most games in front of the pitcher in the No. 8 spot.

"He’s been a real presence in the lineup on an everyday basis," Counsell said. "There’s been this notion that a young player can’t hit eighth, it’s too hard to hit in front of the pitcher, and I don’t think Orlando’s had any problem with that at all. I think he does a good job of taking his at-bats and focusing on that.

"To me, the power and the driving in runs – when you get that, the three-run homer Friday night from your eighth spot – that’s a nice thing to have from your eight-hole hitter."

Arcia was hitting .326 with five homers and 18 RBI since May 18, and with his speed he could eventually become an option at the top of the lineup for the Brewers.

"A lot of times it falls onto who else is in the lineup," Counsell said. "I see Orlando hitting 7-8 for the rest of the season. That’s not a knock on him; that’s just the way we’re lined up this year and the way I think it works the best.

"The ability to be consistent with that has helped Orlando."

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