Heads turned when the Brewers decided to carry 13 pitchers on the roster recently. Imagine the surprise when the team decided to add a 14th to the squad.
There were many reasons for the expanded bullpen, which has left manager Ned Yost with just three position players on the bench for the time being.
First of all, a move had to be made when Yovani Gallardo was activated from the disabled list before his Sunday start against the Reds. To make room for the right-hander on the 25-man roster, the Brewers sent utility man Joe Dillon to Class AAA Nashville.
Earlier in the week, the Brewers sent Hernan Iribarren down to the Sounds and brought up Mitch Stetter. That move was to help give left-handed specialist Brian Shouse a bit of a reprieve. He's pitched in half of the team's games this season and, while effective (1-0, 1.42 ERA), Yost wants to make sure he doesn't burn Shouse out in April and Stetter provides a left-handed alternative that can also pitch extended innings (he threw two scoreless Sunday against the Reds).
The severity of Ben Sheets' injury, who left Saturday's game early with arm soreness, also puts some pressure on the bullpen. Gallardo's start on Sunday came on Bush's regular day in the rotation. If Sheets should have to miss his next start (Wednesday vs. Philadelphia), Bush would get the nod.
Dillon, who had just two hits in 10 at-bats this season, will probably be recalled should Sheets' arm troubles prove to be nothing more than an isolated incident. His ability to play both in the infield or outfield makes him a valuable asset on the Brewers' bench.
The lack of available bodies played a key role in Sunday's game. Yost had to let Gallardo bat for himself in the eighth inning of a tie game because his only other options were Craig Counsell, an injured Gabe Kapler and backup catcher Mike Rivera.
First impressions: Gallardo wasted little time picking up where he left off during his impressive rookie season. The right-hander, in his first start of the season, allowed just one run -- a homer by Edwin Encarnacion -- on four hits in seven innings of work Sunday at Cincinnati.
The weather was hardly ideal for a young pitcher making his first start after an injury. Rain plagued the afternoon making for a slick time on the field.
"He pitched great in tough conditions," Yost said. "It was slick, and tough out there at times. He commands the baseball. For the most part, it was a great first start for him."
He walked Corey Patterson to open the game before retiring the next 11 batters he faced.
"It kind of felt like my (Major League) debut all over again," Gallardo said afterwards.
Yost wasn't worried about overworking his young pitcher, considering Gallardo threw 106 pitches in his final rehab start with Nashville. On Sunday, Gallardo threw 112 pitches; 68 for strikes.
Decisions looming: No matter what happens, the Brewers will have to make some tough decisions in the next couple weeks. OF Tony Gwynn Jr. is eligible to come off the DL and could be summoned to alleviate the bench problems. Outfielder Mike Cameron is seven games away from completing his 25-game suspension, and the team will have to make a move to add him to the roster. Starters Manny Parra, Bush or Carlos Villanueva -- who have all struggled at times -- could also be candidates for a trip to Nashville, especially now that Gallardo is back.
In their defense: Poor fielding was one of the leading factors in the Brewers' fade during the second half last season. The added emphasis on glove work during spring training has paid off as the Brewers, through the first 18 games of the season, have committed just seven errors in 683 total chances. Milwaukee's .990 fielding percentage is tied with Houston for the best in the National League and is the second-best mark in baseball.
When it counts: Another shortcoming in recent seasons was the ability to hit with runners in scoring position. Heading into Sunday's game, Milwaukee was batting .316 (42 for 133) with runners in scoring position; the National League's best mark and third in the majors.
Injury report: OF Tony Gwynn Jr. began a rehabilitation assignment with Nashville this week. He's been on the 15-day disabled list since April 9 because of a strained left hamstring. In his first go-round, Gwynn went 1 for 2 with two walks, a stolen base and one driven in. Yost thinks Gwynn will probably make at least two appearances with the Sounds before returning from the DL.
Quick hits: The Brewers are one of two teams to have not hit a triple this season. ... LHP Brian Shouse had yet to give up a run and had stranded all 11 runners he's inherited this season.
On the farm: Nashville lost five of six games to Iowa, Omaha and Albuquerque with one rain out. ... OF Laynce Nix is batting .306 (19-for-62) with three homers and 12 RBI for the Sounds. ... Class AA Huntsville took four of six games from first-place Carolina to pull within two games of the Southern League North Division lead. ... RHP Amaury Rivas is among the South Atlantic League leaders with a 1-0 record and a 1.56 ERA in four games (two starts) with Class A West Virginia.
This week: It's a quirky schedule this week for the Brewers, who play a pair of two-game sets to kick off a seven-game home stand tonight against St. Louis. Geoff Jenkins returns to Milwaukee Wednesday when Philadelphia stops in town for a quick pair. The Brewers wrap up the home stand with three games against the Marlins.
He said it: "I guess 1 for 100 isn't too bad." -- Bill Hall after hitting a home run off Cincinnati's Bronson Arroyo last Friday. Hall had a career average of .077 against Arroyo.
NL Central Standings: 1, Chicago 12-6 (--); 2, St. Louis, 12-7 (0.5 GB); 3, Milwaukee, 11-7 (1.0); 4, Cincinnati, 8-11 (4.5); Pittsburgh, 7-11 (5.0); 6, Houston, 7-12 (5.5).
Attendance (Through six home games): Total -- 226,421; Average -- 37,737; On pace for -- 3,056,683. Sellouts -- 2.
Under the roof: Games played with roof / panels open -- 0; roof closed / panels open -- 0; roof open / panels closed -- 0; roof / panels closed -- 6. Total home games -- 6.
