"Brewers manager Ken Macha said Tuesday afternoon he can envision the day when Trevor Hoffman will be the team's closer again.

Macha just wasn't prepared to say when that might be.

"I think he's done real well," said Macha. "That's all going to work itself out. I'm not worried about it."

For a moment, it appeared Hoffman's return to the closer's role would happen that evening in the series opener against Minnesota. With the Brewers ahead, 5-3, in the seventh inning, John Axford started getting loose. Macha admitted after the game to thinking about going with Axford in the seventh/eighth and Hoffman in the ninth.

But, when the Brewers padded the lead to 7-3, Macha opted to go to Todd Coffey in the eighth, holding Axford back for the ninth. When Coffey didn't retire any of the three batters he faced, Axford was summoned to convert a two-inning save, making him 5 for 5 since replacing Hoffman.

Having used Axford for two innings, Macha might have paved the way for Hoffman to close Wednesday night if the need arises.

"We'll see how (Axford) feels tomorrow," said Macha. "Tomorrow might be the night (for Hoffman)."

Macha liked the way Hoffman threw the ball Sunday in Colorado, pitching a perfect eighth inning with the score tied, 1-1. The Brewers scored five times in the ninth to win, 6-1.

It was the fifth consecutive scoreless outing for Hoffman, during which he allowed three hits and one walk while striking out four. He has pitched scoreless ball in eight of his last nine outings, lowering his earned run average from 13.15 to 9.00."