SAN DIEGO -- Brewers right-hander Yovani Gallardo is traveling with the team for the first time since he blew out his knee in May, and before the end of the trip, he's expected to throw off a mound for the first time.

On Tuesday, though, Gallardo was just a cheerleader.

"It feels great to come out here," said Gallardo, who had surgery in mid-May to repair a torn ligament in his right knee. "Nothing against Milwaukee, but it gets a little boring when the team is on the road."

Things could get more exciting in the coming days. Brewers general manager Doug Melvin confirmed on Tuesday night that Gallardo had been cleared by the Brewers' medical staff to throw off a mound. According to Melvin, that could happen before the end of the team's current West Coast road tip.

But even in the best-case scenario, Gallardo is weeks away from being an option for the Brewers. Brewers manager Ned Yost said he is making all of his plans without Gallardo. Melvin called Gallardo "a long shot" to pitch in the Majors before the end of the season, and even then it would have to be in relief, because Gallardo would not have the necessary time to build strength in his arm and leg.

"He's not going to be able to get to the point where he's a starting pitcher," Melvin said. "Right now, he's in the early stages. We don't necessarily count on [Gallardo returning this season]. If it happens, it's probably going to be limited innings."

After three months of rehab, Gallardo will take whatever he can get. He has been working out at Miller Park with athletic trainer Dave Lake five days a week for two or three hours per day since his May 13 surgery.

Gallardo suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during a May 1 start at Wrigley Field when he tangled with Cubs outfielder Reed Johnson near first base. He remained in the game, but the extent of the injury became clear the next day. Tuesday marked his 92nd day on the disabled list.

"It's real tough when you see them getting on a plane, going to different cities," Gallardo said of his Brewers teammates. "You have to stay there and show up at the stadium the next day, pretty much by myself. ... Toward the end, it got a little bit better. Now I'm lucky enough to come and join them; I'm very excited."

Asked whether he was ready to progress past throwing on flat ground, Gallardo said, "I just show up and expect the same thing. Anything new is a surprise to me, too."

Gallardo was not sure whether he would travel with the team to St. Louis and Pittsburgh later this month. His progress could help make that determination.

With Gallardo sidelined, the Brewers bolstered their staff by trading top prospect Matt LaPorta in a package for left-hander CC Sabathia, who will start on Wednesday night against the Padres. With Sabathia in the fold, the Brewers have shot to the top of the National League in terms of innings pitched by their starters. Sabathia has pitched complete games in four of his seven starts.

If and when Gallardo returns, he would be a bonus.

"Right now, I don't think about guys that are injured," Yost said. "I concern myself with the guys who are healthy right now, and that's as far as I go."

Pitching matchup
MIL: LHP CC Sabathia (12-8, 3.11 ERA)
In his last outing, Sabathia (6-0 in seven starts since arriving in Milwaukee) tossed his fourth complete game -- and second shutout -- with the Brewers, allowing just five hits, while striking out nine and walking just one. The big lefty was economical, needing only 103 pitches, and he even added to the offensive output with a single in the second inning. Still unbeaten in his seven starts with the Brewers, Sabathia has posted a 1.58 ERA since his move to the National League. His four complete games top the NL, and the southpaw is currently in the midst of a career-best nine-game winning streak, dating to June 10.

SD: RHP Josh Banks (3-4, 3.77 ERA)
Banks entered the sixth inning on Thursday but couldn't register an out, leaving the game with two runs surrendered in five innings. He was credited with a third on a sacrifice fly against reliever Cla Meredith which allowed an inherited runner to score. Banks accomplished his goal of allowing no more than three runs with Johan Santana as his rival on the mound, but it still wasn't enough to get him a win after allowing nine hits on 89 pitches. He has not faced the Brewers this season.

Tidbits
Right-hander Jeremy Jeffress' Double-A debut was rained out on Tuesday. The Brewers' top pitching prospect was scheduled to start for the Huntsville Stars at home against Chattanooga, but the teams instead will try to play a doubleheader on Wednesday. Jeffress is scheduled to pitch Game 1, and former top pitching prospect Mike Jones will start the nightcap, the team told the fan site Brewerfan.net. ... Stars shortstop Alcides Escobar was named Southern League Player of the Week after going 14-for-27 from Aug. 4-10 and boosting his hit total 164, passing slumping teammate Mat Gamel for tops in all of Minor League Baseball. ... Class A West Virginia infielders Steffan Wilson and Curt Rindal were named co-players of the week in the South Atlantic League for Aug. 4-10. Wilson went 15-for-25 with eight RBIs, and Rindal went 11-for-20 with 11 RBIs during the week. ... With 33 road wins, the Brewers have surpassed their total from all of last season.

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Up next
• Thursday: Brewers (Ben Sheets, 11-5, 2.95) at Padres (Jake Peavy, 8-8, 2.68), 2:35 p.m. CT
• Friday: Brewers (Manny Parra, 9-5, 4.02) at Dodgers (Chad Billingsley, 11-9, 3.07), 9:40 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Brewers (Dave Bush, 7-9, 4.35) at Dodgers (Derek Lowe, 9-10, 4.11), 9:10 p.m. CT