645
05-28-2006, 02:06 AM
<b><font size=4>Time for a changeup</font></b>
Philadelphia - Looking for a long reliever-spot starter until they work through injuries in their starting rotation, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired right-hander Jeremi Gonzalez from the New York Mets on Friday in a trade for minor-league reliever Mike Adams.
The Mets designated Gonzalez for assignment after he pitched against Philadelphia on Thursday to make room for left-hander Dave Williams, whom they acquired from Cincinnati. Gonzalez was 0-0 with a 7.71 earned run average in three starts for the Mets, including a decent outing (six innings, three runs) against the Phillies.
Gonzalez, 31, will join the Brewers on Sunday, at which time they will make a corresponding player move. They are expected to return young right-hander Carlos Villanueva to Class AA Huntsville to continue his development there.
Villanueva, 22, was summoned Monday after right-hander Ben Hendrickson was sent to Class AAA Nashville.
Gonzalez has pitched in the majors for the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay, Boston and the Mets. He has a 26-33 career record and 4.92 ERA in 110 games (82 starts). He began this season at Class AAA Norfolk, going 1-2 with a 3.03 ERA in six starts.
"He's a durable guy who gives us a long-inning guy (in the bullpen) with experience," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "We've been bringing guys up from Double-A, trying to find the right combination. Gonzalez has a lot more experience and he can eat some innings for you."
With starters Tomo Ohka (partial rotator cuff tear) and Ben Sheets (shoulder tendinitis) and long-reliever Rick Helling (elbow) on the disabled list, manager Ned Yost has had trouble covering innings in certain spots in the starting rotation, which had a negative effect on the bullpen. Helling will pitch a simulated game today and should go out on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment next week but Ohka and Sheets are not expected back soon.
"We're trying to win games and it helps to have experience," Melvin said. "This will help until we can get those guys back."
Melvin said he also thought it was time to give Adams a chance with another club. Adams made two brief appearances with the Brewers this season and pitched poorly, allowing four hits and three runs in 2 1/3 innings (11.57 ERA).
In 15 relief appearances at Nashville, Adams was 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA and two saves.
"This helps Adams out a little bit," Melvin said. "We have a lot of experience at the back of our bullpen and he wasn't getting a real opportunity here. The change of scenery might help him."
Philadelphia - Looking for a long reliever-spot starter until they work through injuries in their starting rotation, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired right-hander Jeremi Gonzalez from the New York Mets on Friday in a trade for minor-league reliever Mike Adams.
The Mets designated Gonzalez for assignment after he pitched against Philadelphia on Thursday to make room for left-hander Dave Williams, whom they acquired from Cincinnati. Gonzalez was 0-0 with a 7.71 earned run average in three starts for the Mets, including a decent outing (six innings, three runs) against the Phillies.
Gonzalez, 31, will join the Brewers on Sunday, at which time they will make a corresponding player move. They are expected to return young right-hander Carlos Villanueva to Class AA Huntsville to continue his development there.
Villanueva, 22, was summoned Monday after right-hander Ben Hendrickson was sent to Class AAA Nashville.
Gonzalez has pitched in the majors for the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay, Boston and the Mets. He has a 26-33 career record and 4.92 ERA in 110 games (82 starts). He began this season at Class AAA Norfolk, going 1-2 with a 3.03 ERA in six starts.
"He's a durable guy who gives us a long-inning guy (in the bullpen) with experience," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "We've been bringing guys up from Double-A, trying to find the right combination. Gonzalez has a lot more experience and he can eat some innings for you."
With starters Tomo Ohka (partial rotator cuff tear) and Ben Sheets (shoulder tendinitis) and long-reliever Rick Helling (elbow) on the disabled list, manager Ned Yost has had trouble covering innings in certain spots in the starting rotation, which had a negative effect on the bullpen. Helling will pitch a simulated game today and should go out on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment next week but Ohka and Sheets are not expected back soon.
"We're trying to win games and it helps to have experience," Melvin said. "This will help until we can get those guys back."
Melvin said he also thought it was time to give Adams a chance with another club. Adams made two brief appearances with the Brewers this season and pitched poorly, allowing four hits and three runs in 2 1/3 innings (11.57 ERA).
In 15 relief appearances at Nashville, Adams was 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA and two saves.
"This helps Adams out a little bit," Melvin said. "We have a lot of experience at the back of our bullpen and he wasn't getting a real opportunity here. The change of scenery might help him."