PITTSBURGH — Left-hander Aaron Ashby was activated from the 15-day injured list by Milwaukee on Friday before a game against Pittsburgh and was expected to be used by the Brewers in long relief.

Ashby, who turns 27 on Saturday, had been sidelined side spring training by a strained right oblique. He pitched a scoreless inning at Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday in an injury rehabilitation assignment.

He went 1-2 with a 2.86 ERA in 14 appearances with last year for Milwaukee.

Reliever Carlos Rodriguez was optioned to Nashville, a day after getting his first major league win by pitching 3 1/3 innings during an 8-5 win over Pittsburgh.