Quinn Priester’s path back to the big leagues continues to be a work in progress, as command troubles once again surfaced during his latest rehabilitation outing.

The right-hander, currently recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome, made his third appearance with Triple-A Nashville but struggled to find consistency in a 6-5 loss to Norfolk.

Milwaukee had initially envisioned a relatively brief rehab stint for Priester, potentially requiring only three starts before rejoining the Major League rotation. However, that timeline now appears increasingly optimistic given his recent performances.

In his latest start, Priester logged just over two innings, throwing 62 pitches while recording 37 strikes. He faced 16 batters but ran into trouble early, particularly during a taxing first inning. After issuing a four-pitch walk to open the game, the inning quickly unraveled.

A stolen base and defensive sequence that failed to produce an out set the tone, and the opposition capitalized. By the end of his outing, Priester had allowed five runs on seven hits, including a home run, while also walking two.

Despite the uneven results, there are signs of progress beneath the surface. One encouraging development has been a slight uptick in velocity. His sinker reached 92.8 mph in the outing, an improvement from his previous start and closer to the level he maintained prior to the injury.

For a pitcher working his way back from a complex condition like thoracic outlet syndrome, regaining arm strength and feel is a critical early step.

The Brewers’ focus remains on Priester’s long-term health and rhythm rather than immediate results. Injuries of this nature often require patience, particularly when it comes to rediscovering command and consistency.

While the stat line may not reflect it yet, the improved velocity suggests that his arm is trending in the right direction.

There is still flexibility in the process. Rehab assignments for pitchers can extend up to 30 days, giving Milwaukee time to evaluate Priester’s readiness without rushing the process. Since beginning his assignment in late April, he has been gradually building up his workload, even if the execution has lagged behind.

For now, Priester remains a key piece of the Brewers’ pitching depth, but his return to the rotation will hinge on tightening his command. Until that happens, the organization is likely to proceed cautiously, prioritizing sustainable progress over a quick return.

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