Alex Gonzalez Officially Signed, De Los Santos Lost on Waivers

Veteran shortstop Alex Gonzalez was re-signed by the Milwaukee Brewers today, in a move announced widely by sources last week.

It was made official when Gonzalez, now 35, passed his physical and a corresponding move could be made to make room for him on the roster. That move was place Fautino De Los Santos on waivers.

De Los Santos was picked up by the San Diego Padres.

It’s officially official: Alex Gonzalez is a Milwaukee Brewer. Again. (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports)

Fautino De Los Santos became a Milwaukee Brewer last year as part of the move that dealt George Kottaras to the Oakland Athletics. He never appeared in a Major League game for Milwaukee.

De Los Santos posted excellent number for the Nashville Sounds, the Brewers AAA affiliate – he had a 1.98 ERA in 11 appearances with 60 strikeouts.

The 26 year-old reliever had previously appeared at the Major League level, and thoughts from Brewers fans and media sources was that he would be moved up to help shore up a depleted bullpen, though the organization placed a premium on more veteran experience in the off-season.

With this move today, the Brewers still have 22 pitchers on the 40-man roster, with about ten more players expected to be invited to Spring Training when pitchers and catchers report in just under a week.

Gonzalez played as the starting shortstop for Milwaukee until a devastating injury in May sidelined hi for the remainder of the 2012 campaign. His one year deal is worth a reported $1.5 million, with an extra million dollars available in incentives. The plan for the Milwaukee Brewers is to use Gonzalez as a back up to Jean Segura, who has taken on the starting duties at shortstop since late in 2012, after being picked up in the trade that sent Zack Greinke to Anaheim.