"In a way, it's almost as if the Milwaukee Brewers acquired Zack Greinke a second time.

That's the way some teammates viewed it as the enigmatic right-hander prepared to make his debut for the club Wednesday night in the second game of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field after a rainout Tuesday night. So much time has passed since the Brewers originally acquired Greinke from Kansas City in late December without him throwing a pitch.

"It's the equivalent of making another big acquisition," said leftfielder Ryan Braun. "There's definitely a lot of anticipation. We're excited about getting out there and seeing what he can do."

Greinke's debut with the Brewers was set back more than a month when he cracked a left rib early in spring training while playing a game of pickup basketball. It took several weeks for the injury to heal, after which he went through the meticulous, lengthy process of getting ready for game action.

After three minor-league outings, the last of which came Friday for Class AAA Nashville, Greinke was pronounced ready to make his first start for the Brewers. Much like fans throughout Brewer Nation, his new teammates are anxious to see what the 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner is all about.

"There's some excitement because it has been talked about so much," said third baseman Casey McGehee. "At the same time, we can't look at it like we're getting some savior. We've still got to go out there and work.

"We're still in the thick of things. It's time to get everybody together and figure out what this team is going to be all about. We don't know that yet.

"It's no time to relax. We've got to keep pushing."

There is the obvious danger of expecting too much of the 27-year-old Greinke, particularly in his first few outings. Pitchers normally make at least five starts during exhibition season, so he is two behind that schedule.

Manager Ron Roenicke said Greinke will be limited to about 90 pitches in his first outing with the Brewers. He threw 75 last time out in Nashville, covering five innings."