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04-22-2004, 11:08 PM
In the event the Brewers need to call up a pitcher to start Saturday in place of injured Chris Capuano, they cleared a spot on their 40-man roster Wednesday by transfering right-hander Travis Phelps outright to Class AAA Indianapolis.
Phelps, who was sidelined by shoulder tendinitis in spring camp, already was pitching at Indianapolis but had been on the Brewers' 40-man roster. By clearing a spot, the Brewers can call up a non-roster pitcher such as Matt Wise or Victor Santos to pitch against St. Louis, if necessary.
"There's something to that, in case we need somebody," said general manager Doug Melvin. "There's always that possibility that we may have to call somebody up and put him on the roster."
Even if Capuano recovers from a strained quadriceps and makes that start, Melvin wanted to clear a roster spot to give him flexibility to make another move, if warranted.
"Sometimes, a guy comes across the waiver wire you like and you want to put a claim in. We just wanted to free up a roster spot in case we do something," said Melvin.
Capuano is scheduled to test his left leg with a bullpen session before today's game. If he feels even the slightest twinge in his quadriceps, he will be scratched from the Saturday start.
Should that happen, the Brewers will have two options: Call up a pitcher from the minors or use a middle reliever such as Ben Ford to make a spot start.
Melvin said he figured Phelps would clear waivers because he missed most of spring training with the ailing shoulder and has pitched only four innings at Indy, allowing eight hits and six runs.
Phelps, who was sidelined by shoulder tendinitis in spring camp, already was pitching at Indianapolis but had been on the Brewers' 40-man roster. By clearing a spot, the Brewers can call up a non-roster pitcher such as Matt Wise or Victor Santos to pitch against St. Louis, if necessary.
"There's something to that, in case we need somebody," said general manager Doug Melvin. "There's always that possibility that we may have to call somebody up and put him on the roster."
Even if Capuano recovers from a strained quadriceps and makes that start, Melvin wanted to clear a roster spot to give him flexibility to make another move, if warranted.
"Sometimes, a guy comes across the waiver wire you like and you want to put a claim in. We just wanted to free up a roster spot in case we do something," said Melvin.
Capuano is scheduled to test his left leg with a bullpen session before today's game. If he feels even the slightest twinge in his quadriceps, he will be scratched from the Saturday start.
Should that happen, the Brewers will have two options: Call up a pitcher from the minors or use a middle reliever such as Ben Ford to make a spot start.
Melvin said he figured Phelps would clear waivers because he missed most of spring training with the ailing shoulder and has pitched only four innings at Indy, allowing eight hits and six runs.