May 14 2009
Rivera returns from DL, Gamel called up
The Brewers have made a couple moves in the last 24 hours to shake up the roster.
Backup catcher Mike Rivera will return from an ankle injury, sending Carlos Corporan back to AAA Nashville. Rivera was put on the DL April 29th with an ankle contusion from the result of a play at the plate. Rivera, the personal catcher for Dave Bush, will ironically be activated before today’s game. And who pitches today for the Crew? You guessed it, Dave Bush.
Perhaps the bigger news is the promotion of Brewers top prospect Mat Gamel to the big league club. Gamel, who is perhaps known for his poor defense as much as his big bat, will take the place of the struggling Brad Nelson.
Nelson was outrighted to AAA Nashville, and since this is his second outright assignment, he can refuse it and become a free agent.
Nelson’s struggles have come as a bit of a surprise, especially after having a very good spring for the Brewers.
“I’ve had two good Triple-A years, two good winter ball years and then a great spring,” Nelson said. “Now comes the time when I need to excel, and it’s not there. I didn’t see it coming.”
Brewer fans have been frustrated with Nelson after his 0-21 start to the season. This is understandable, but only getting time as a pinch hitter isn’t the easiest thing to do. Nelson is a player that needs consistent playing time to produce, and he just wasn’t getting it with the club. He will definitely be back with the Brewers later in the year if he accepts his assignment to Nashville.
Gamel will probably fill Nelson’s pinch hitting role, but he will certainly get a majority of the DH at-bats in the upcoming interleague series against the Twins, Indians, and Tigers.
Until then, Macha plans to use Gamel frequently. “This guy is our top prospect, so I don’t have any plans to have him sitting on the bench,” Macha said.
Gamel was hitting .336 with 8 homeruns and 31RBI in AAA. His 1.075 OPS (on-base% + slugging %) was good for third in the Pacific Coast League. He certainly has the ability to be a big time lefthanded bat off the bench for the Brewers.
