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"Rick Helling was just excited to wear his spikes again.
For the first time in five weeks, Helling threw off a mound on Saturday as a part of his rehab for a sprained right elbow.

"It was good to get out there, and it's just a part of the process," Helling said. "There was no pain, so that's good."

Helling, who has been on the disabled list since April 16, threw 30 pitches, all of them fastballs. He had spent the previous portions of his rehab playing long toss from 50, 70 and then 120 feet.

"I've kind of realized through this whole thing that every time you get to a certain stage in rehab, it's like a test," Helling said. "I passed it today, so we'll go from there."

The next stage in Helling's rehab may come on Monday in Cincinnati with another bullpen session. It will depend on how the 35-year-old's arm feels on Sunday.

Manager Ned Yost and pitching coach Mike Maddux said that when Helling does come back, the right-hander will be extended as a starter. The Brewers' rotation is currently thin because of injuries to Helling, Ben Sheets (shoulder) and Tomo Ohka (shoulder).

"You've got to stretch him out," Maddux said. "I don't know if it's as much about personnel as it is about the person. He needs to stretch it out for [the health of] his arm."

Helling is on track to be the first of the three injured starters back. That likely will happen at some point in June.

"Any time you get a guy like Rick back, it's a big boost," Yost said. "It will give us some more depth."

The need for depth was all too evident on Saturday, when Brewers starter Ben Hendrickson did not record an out in the first inning. The Twins already had a 5-0 lead and a runner at second base when Hendrickson was replaced by reliever Jorge De La Rosa.

Getting a healthy Helling back would be a boost.

"When I went down, the timing wasn't good," Helling said. "But we're doing all right. We're two games over .500. When we get everybody healthy, it'll be like making a big trade or signing a free agent."



Complete coverage >Brewers on Bonds: News that Barry Bonds had smacked home run No. 714 flashed across clubhouse televisions after batting practice on Saturday. Some players, including Geoff Jenkins and Carlos Lee, watched intently. Others ignored the report and went on with their chess games and crosswords.

Was Jenkins glad to see Bonds tie Babe Ruth for second on the all-time homers list?

"[Heck] yeah. It's one [heck] of an accomplishment," Jenkins said. "Now there's only one guy, in the history of the game, who's standing in front of you. That's pretty good."

Jenkins was outspoken in support of Bonds earlier this month, when the Giants came through Milwaukee and Bonds was routinely showered with boos.

"I know how hard this game is, so to see what he's accomplished is pretty amazing," Jenkins said.

Helling was not quite as wowed. He has faced Bonds 23 times in his career, holding the slugger to three hits in 16 official at-bats, with seven walks. Two of those hits were home runs, making Helling one of 420 pitchers to be victimized by Bonds.

"Second place, it's not that big of a deal," Helling said, echoing a sentiment held by many around the game. "You don't celebrate second place in anything else, you know what I mean? They made a big issue when Major League Baseball said they weren't going to celebrate, or authenticate the balls or anything like that. I didn't understand the issue."

New partnership: For the first time, the Brewers and The Milwaukee Mile, the world's oldest active motor speedway, have a partnership to benefit baseball fans and racing fans alike.

Fans can now take their ticket stub from any May home game at Miller Park and redeem it at The Milwaukee Mile ticket office for $5 off a race ticket to the Time Warner Cable Road Runner 225 on Sunday, June 4.

"The Brewers and The Milwaukee Mile are two of the area's greatest summertime traditions, and we look forward to bringing this added value to our fans," said Rick Schlesinger, the Brewers' executive vice president of business operations. "This is a relationship that will continue to develop as we move forward."

Last call: Entering Saturday's game, Bill Hall had an eight-game hitting streak. ... Jose Capellan hadn't allowed an earned run in his last five outings before Friday's loss. ... Lee had two hits in his last 18 at-bats before Saturday's game. ... Prince Fielder had three hits in his last 19 at-bats before Saturday.

On deck: The Brewers and Twins will conclude their three-game series on Sunday at Miller Park at 1:05 p.m. CT. Left-hander Chris Capuano will make the start against the Twins' Boof Bonser, who will make his Major League debut."

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Clinton Lumberkings - *A* of the Texas Rangers