Brewers Send Figaro Down, Recall Bianchi

Apr 6, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Jeff Bianchi (14) hits an RBI single during the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Fresh off Saturday’s game when Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura both left the field early with day-to-day injuries, the Brewers shed an arm from their over-stuff bullpen and added a position player back to the roster.

The Brewers optioned Alfredo Figaro back to Nashville, shrinking the bullpen to a still-large 12, instead of a ridiculous 13. They sent Figaro down to make room for Jeff Bianchi, who is starting today at shortstop to replace Segura, who left yesterday’s game with leg cramps.

The only other shortstop on the roster had been Elian Herrera, who is playing center field today after Gomez left yesterday’s game with a neck strain.

Because they selected Wei-Chung Wang in the Rule-5 draft, he has to stay on the roster for a set amount of time. Due to this Milwaukee had been traveling with an over-sized bullpen, and undersized bench.

The room on the bench is also artificially small because Milwaukee is carrying position platoons at both second base and first base.

The Brewers had already mused about going back to a 12-man pen, but they were forced into that action by Saturday’s injuries.

Figaro only made one appearance since being recalled last Wednesday morning after the 16-inning marathon with the Nationals. On Wednesday he tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Milwaukee’s 9-2 win over the Nationals.

Bianchi broke camp with the Crew but was sent back to AAA Nashville late in May. He’s only slashing .145/.172/.145 in 58 Major League plate appearances this season.  He’s faring better in AAA where in 105 plate appearances he’s hitting .276/.314/.418.