February 9
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The sides aren't supposed to reveal the dates of arbitration hearings but I've learned that rightfielder Corey Hart's hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Tampa, Fla. At this point, there appears no chance that a deal will be struck before a hearing, which would be the first for the Doug Melvin regime. After Hart's agent, Jeff Barry, turned down the club's last offer on Friday, Jan. 29, negotiations ceased. "We've had enough time to get a deal done,' said general manager Doug Melvin. "Right now, it looks like we've got the first case (to be heard)." Hart, who made $3.25 million last year, filed a request for a $4.8 million salary. The Brewers offered $4.15 million, resulting in a gap of ..."
February 9
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Without the persistence of Bud Selig, the Milwaukee Brewers might still be the Seattle Pilots. That same persistence resulted in the building of Miller Park, which guaranteed the franchise would not relocate again. On those two counts alone, much less his other accomplishments, the Brewers figured Selig deserved to stand - in bronze - with Hank Aaron and Robin Yount outside of the club's retractable-roof facility. The Brewers announced Monday that they will honor baseball's commissioner and the team's former owner with a statue at Miller Park's Home Plate Plaza. Selig's statue will be unveiled in a ceremony at 1 p.m. Aug. 24. "We are proud to honor Commissioner Selig for all of his efforts ..."
February 7
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Two years ago, the Milwaukee Brewers thought they had too many starting pitchers. In large part to save money with what they considered an extraneous pitcher, the Brewers released Claudio Vargas with a week remaining in training camp that spring. But, two days later, Chris Capuano went on the disabled list with an elbow injury and hasn't thrown a pitch for the team since. "Every other day, we would meet with the media or talk to fans and say, 'What are we going to do about the (excess) pitching?' " recalled general manager Doug Melvin. "Then, in two days, we went from six starting pitchers to four." The situation reached the crisis stage when Yovani Gallardo suffered a serious knee injury ..."
February 6
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Tim Dillard cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Class AAA Nashville. Dillard is still invited to big-league spring training. Dillard, 26, was designated for assignment earlier in the week to open a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Marco Estrada, claimed off waivers from the Washington Nationals. Dillard was not claimed by another team, allowing the Brewers to send him to Nashville. Dillard spent most of the 2009 season with Nashville, going 11-7 with a 4.51 earned run average in 24 starts."
February 5
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Michael Hunt
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Even when the real-world job market is favorable, no one wants to hear that a ballplayer will get a $900,000 raise even if he loses his arbitration case. It's worse when the ballplayer in question isn't coming off a $900,000 year to begin with. OK, so that's not exactly true. No matter how much former all-star Corey Hart's performance dropped in 2009, hitting .260 with 12 homers and 48 RBI in a medically shortened season puts you in a tax bracket where the snooty Ferrari salesman not only holds the door, but also lets you test drive whatever's on the lot. But we've known the price of playing ball around here for a long time. During the really bad recession that hammered this city in the ..."
February 4
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Barely more than two weeks before players report to spring training, the Milwaukee Brewers continued to look for ways to improve their pitching depth Wednesday. The Brewers claimed right-hander Marco Estrada off waivers from the Washington Nationals, adding another starter to their depth chart. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the club designated right-hander Tim Dillard for assignment. In essence, the Brewers considered Estrada an upgrade over Dillard, who spent most of the 2009 season at Class AAA Nashville after converting from relieving to starting. Estrada, 26, spent most of the year with Class AAA Syracuse and was ranked the No. 18 prospect in Washington's system by Baseball ..."
February 2
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Reliever Chris Smith, designated for assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers last week, cleared waivers Monday and was assigned outright to Class AAA Nashville. Smith does not have to report, however. Because it is not the first outright assignment for Smith, he has the right to decline it and become a free agent. Assistant general manager Gord Ash said Smith had 48 hours to decide."
February 1
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Michael Hunt
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The Brewers won the pennant Sunday. OK, so not one player got a ball out of the gaping Midwest Airlines Center, where many of the faithful congregated to receive their twice-a-year dispensation. Along with the home opener, these kinds of fan fests grant that most extraordinary of outlooks in skeptical times - the enormous capacity to believe. But being sensible Midwesterners, we all know why the local nine gave itself no chance last season. Starting pitching overwhelmed the power of a zillion industrial-strength air fresheners to remove its stench from Miller Park and similar venues throughout baseball. That is why maybe the third-most important man in the organization for 2010 was sitting ..."
February 1
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Just because the Milwaukee Brewers never have gone to an arbitration hearing with a player under general manager Doug Melvin doesn't mean they won't do so. In fact, that streak appears almost certain to end in a couple of weeks. Team negotiator Teddy Werner said Sunday the club had taken its latest offer off the table to rightfielder Corey Hart, the Brewers' lone remaining player in arbitration. Werner said there were no plans for further negotiations with Hart's agent, Jeff Berry, before a scheduled hearing in mid-February in Tampa, Fla. "We made a final offer Friday that we thought was a good offer," said Werner. "It's significantly higher than the number we filed. They didn't like it. I ..."
February 1
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The plea came loud and clear over a house microphone Sunday at the Midwest Airlines Center. The Milwaukee Brewers faithful in attendance were listening intently, and general manager Doug Melvin hoped the face of the franchise, Prince Fielder, was paying attention as well. "We understand Prince is a star-caliber player," Melvin said during an open forum at the "On Deck" event when asked about Fielder's contract situation by a fan. "We want Prince to be here. Is he in the building? He can hear me? Prince, we want you to stay!" Melvin chuckled a little and the fans applauded loudly, but as everyone knows, it will take a lot more than a comical public plea to keep the all-star first baseman in ..."
January 31
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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I'm at the Brewers' "On Deck" event and I just spoke with team negotiator Teddy Werner. He told me the club has taken it's latest offer to rightfielder Corey Hart off the table and the arbitration case is headed for a hearing in Tampa in a couple of weeks. "We made a final offer that we thought was a good offer," said Werner. "It's significantly higher than the number we filed. They didn't like it. I said, 'See you in Tampa in a couple of weeks.'" The Brewers filed for $4.15 million in arbitration, with Hart requesting $4.8 million. That would make the midpoint $4.475 million. Last year, Hart made $3.25 million."
January 31
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Some teams have busy off-seasons. Some have quiet off-seasons. The Milwaukee Brewers, who will present most of their 2010 club to the public Sunday at the team's "On Deck" event at the Midwest Airlines Center, definitely fall into the former category. Determined to make changes after the team's disappointing 80-victory season in '09, general manager Doug Melvin wasted no time on the personnel front, extending the contract of closer Trevor Hoffman the day after the final game in St. Louis. The transactions kept coming at a furious pace, culminating - or not - with the signing Thursday of veteran outfielder Jim Edmonds to a minor-league deal and invitation to spring camp "It has been pretty ..."
January 31
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Michael Hunt
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The NBA has a salary cap, but with all its loopholes and exceptions, it is softer than Eddy Curry's defense. Want to know which teams have the highest payrolls? Look at the standings. Except for the poster child for bad management from the No. 1 market, the New York Knicks, the five highest spenders are the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers. The league has sort of tried to curb spending by setting the luxury-tax threshold at $71 million, but almost half the teams, nearly all that matter, pay the dollar-for-dollar penalty. For the most part, the cap has done little for the have-nots in the absence of real revenue sharing. The NFL has ..."
January 31
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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A couple of days had passed since Jim Edmonds decided to return to baseball after a one-year absence, and he was experiencing no buyer's remorse Saturday. "I'm through the roof right now," said the veteran outfielder, who signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers with an invitation to spring training. Edmonds, who will be 40 in late June, spent several days in St. Louis, working out and hitting with Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols, and it got his juices flowing even more. "Hitting with Albert really helps," said Edmonds, who had returned home to California. "I had a good week with him. It's coming back fast." While in St. Louis, Edmonds challenged the Cardinals to host his ..."
January 29
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Apparently, a major-league baseball player isn't retired until Doug Melvin says so. For the second time in a little more than two years, the Milwaukee Brewers' general manager brought back a veteran outfielder from a one-year absence by agreeing Thursday with Jim Edmonds on a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. It worked in December 2007 when Melvin took a chance on Gabe Kapler, who ended his retirement to bat .301 with eight home runs and 38 runs batted in off the Brewers' bench in '08. Kapler and Edmonds even have the same agent, Paul Cohen. "We're hoping for similar results," Melvin said. Edmonds, who will be 40 in late June, will get a $850,000 salary if he makes ..."
January 28
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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It takes 25 players to make a major-league baseball team, and Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin might have added No. 25 on Wednesday. Melvin claimed versatile infielder / outfielder Joe Inglett off waivers from Texas, throwing him into the mix for the Brewers' bench. To make room on the 40-man roster, reliever Chris Smith was designated for assignment. "He has always swung the bat well," Melvin said of Inglett. "We've had interest in him in the past. "He's versatile - can play the infield and outfield - and he gives us another left-handed bat. Most of our starters are right-handed hitters." It was the second time this off-season that Inglett was claimed off waivers. On Dec. 4, ..."
January 27
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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It suddenly became quite evident Tuesday what salary Milwaukee Brewers reliever Carlos Villanueva should draw for the 2010 season. "All of his comparables signed for the same figure," said assistant general manager Gord Ash. "That made it pretty clear what the settlement should be." With that in mind, the Brewers and Villanueva agreed on a $950,000 salary, avoiding arbitration. The settlement was just over the midpoint of the figures filed by the sides - $1.075 million by the 26-year-old right-hander and $800,000 by the club. Comparable signings, in terms of major-league service and role on the club, are a big part of the arbitration process. Detroit's Zach Miner, Kansas City's Robinson ..."
January 26
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Dave Bush has a contract for the 2010 season. Now comes the not-so-small detail of claiming a spot in the starting rotation. After avoiding arbitration with a $4.215 million deal Monday with the Milwaukee Brewers, the 30-year-old right-hander said he will report to spring training with expectations of being one of the five starters. "I expect to be there and be part of the rotation," said Bush, who can earn another $110,000 in incentives for innings pitched. "It doesn't make sense to come with any other intention than that. "I try to keep my approach simple. I try not to worry about things I can't control. Beyond that, I'm confident that if healthy I can pitch successfully." Bush said he ..."
January 24
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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What is the most important statistic when evaluating major-league starting pitchers? It cannot be wins/losses. Too many variables, defense and your own hitting, come into play. After all, Harvey Haddix once took a perfect game into the 13th inning in this very city - and lost. Braden Looper went 14-7 last season and the Milwaukee Brewers put him on the first bus out of town. It can't be the opponents' batting average for a lot of reasons. Chief among them was that walk-happy Yovani Gallardo was No. 3 in the bigs with a .219 against. Earned-run average gets you closer to the truth, as does the trendier WHIP - walks and hits per inning pitched. When you're flirting with a golden-arm-range ..."
January 24
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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With the signing of left-hander Doug Davis last week, the Milwaukee Brewers believe they have put the final piece in place for their 2010 ballclub. At some point, probably shortly before or after spring training begins, the Brewers will address a very important piece to their future, first baseman Prince Fielder. General manager Doug Melvin has said he plans to broach the subject of a long-term extension with Fielder and his agent, Scott Boras. Melvin also made it clear he plans to do so behind closed doors. "We won't be giving updates every day," said Melvin. "You don't get anything accomplished doing that." One thing is certain: When that first meeting with Boras takes place, the Brewers ..."
January 23
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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At first glance, it doesn't seem like a good idea to have a bunch of left-handed pitchers in your starting rotation in the National League Central. Most of the big boppers in the division bat from the right side, including Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Ryan Ludwick in St. Louis; Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano in Chicago; Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence and Lance Berkman (switch-hitter) in Houston; and Brandon Phillips in Cincinnati. "There's a lot of them, for sure," said lefty Doug Davis, whose free-agent deal with the Brewers became official Friday when he passed a physical examination in Milwaukee. General manager Doug Melvin added two lefties to his rotation this winter by ..."
January 21
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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If Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin had it to do over again, he never would have traded left-hander Doug Davis to Arizona in 2006. Now Melvin won't need a time machine to get Davis back. Davis returned to the Brewers when he agreed Wednesday to a free-agent deal with a base salary of $4.25 million for 2010. The agreement includes a mutual option for 2011 at $6.5 million with a buyout of $1 million if the club declines it. The 34-year-old veteran can earn an additional $1 million in incentives each year, giving the deal a maximum value of $12.75 million. Because Davis first must pass a physical examination Friday, Melvin could not confirm the deal. But Melvin did say at the ..."
January 20
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Of the seven Milwaukee Brewers eligible for salary arbitration, reliever Todd Coffey put together by far the best performance in 2009. Accordingly, it was no surprise that the gap between the figures filed by Coffey and the club Tuesday was the largest of the four remaining unsigned arbitration players. Coffey, 29, filed for $2.45 million, compared to the club's figure of $1.7 million, creating a gap of $750,000, nearly equal to the big right-hander's 2009 salary of $800,002. Coffey is coming off the best season of his career, during which he went 4-4 with a 2.90 earned run average over a team-high 78 appearances, including a National League-best 83 2/3 relief innings. "I was not surprised ..."
January 19
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Reserve outfielder Jody Gerut became the first of the Milwaukee Brewers' seven arbitration-eligible players to sign Monday when he agreed to a $2 million contract for 2010. Gerut received a raise of $225,000 from his salary of $1.775 million last season. He can earn another $25,000 in the non-guaranteed contract if he accumulates 350 plate appearances. Gerut's signing left six players in arbitration with the Brewers (2009 salaries in parentheses): right-hander Dave Bush ($4 million), outfielders Corey Hart ($3.25 million) and Carlos Gomez ($437,500), relievers Todd Coffey ($800,002) and Carlos Villanueva ($447,000) and second baseman Rickie Weeks ($2.45 million). Arbitration-eligible ..."
January 17
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday invited some of the most promising young prospects in their system to the team's spring training camp in Phoenix. Right-handers Eric Arnett and Kyle Heckathorn, high picks in the 2009 draft, were invited along with left-hander Zach Braddock, centerfielder Logan Schafer and catchers Jonathan Lucroy and Martin Maldonado. Arnett was the Brewers' first-round pick in June out of Indiana University, and Heckathorn was a first-round supplemental pick out of Kennesaw State (Ga.). Their signing bonuses included invitations to big-league spring training. Braddock is one of the most highly rated pitchers in the farm system. After moving from a starting role to ..."
January 16
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said Friday he had a positive first meeting with left-hander Mark Mulder, who is seeking to launch a comeback to the major leagues. Because Mulder is not yet ready to throw from the mound, Melvin said the sides will stay in touch and meet again in a few weeks. "He's doing long-tossing now and throwing off flat ground," said Melvin, who wrapped up a week of organizational meetings in Phoenix. "We told him we'd get back with him later on. He's interested in us and we're interested in him. "I'm coming back (to Phoenix) in early February. We hope at that point he'll be able to throw off a mound. He's close. He's healthy and strong but he's in the ..."
January 14
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Few people know left-hander Mark Mulder better than Rick Peterson. So when the Milwaukee Brewers' new pitching coach says Mulder is physically ready to begin an attempt to return to the major leagues, he speaks with authority. "He feels great physically," said Peterson, who served as Mulder's pitching coach in Oakland during the early years of the past decade and also helped last year with his rehabilitation program after multiple shoulder surgeries. "He's healthy, in tremendous shape. This is beyond rehabbing. It's about performance now. It's a matter of whether he can recapture his game." Peterson, general manager Doug Melvin and assistant Gord Ash will visit with Mulder and his agent, ..."
January 10
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Rick Peterson will begin to put his stamp on the Milwaukee Brewers' organization this week as the team's new pitching coach. Peterson, hired in October to help turn around one of the worst staffs in the majors, will be the keynote speaker at a pitching symposium in Phoenix that will include club officials as well as pitching coaches, trainers and medical personnel from throughout the system. "We're going to examine everything from top to bottom," said assistant general manager Gord Ash, who is coordinating the symposium. "We have some 100 topics for discussion that were submitted by pitching coaches and trainers. "I really hope there will be some good give and take. The idea is to form a ..."
January 8
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The Milwaukee Brewers will be paying Bill Hall to play for Boston this season, not Seattle. Hall was in Boston on Thursday for a physical exam, the final step to complete a trade from the Mariners to the Red Sox. In exchange for first baseman Casey Kotchman, Boston gets the 30-year-old Hall, a minor-leaguer to be named and cash. The cash actually is being forwarded by the Mariners from the Brewers, who are on the hook for $7.15 million of Hall's $8.4 million salary in 2010. That money transfer was a condition of the trade last August that sent Hall to Seattle with some $10 million remaining on Hall's four-year, $24 million contract. The Brewers gave Hall the four-year deal after he socked ..."
January 7
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The Brewers sent minor-league reliever Omar Aguilar outright to Class AAA Nashville on Wednesday, opening a spot on what had been a full 40-man roster. Assistant general manager Gord Ash said the roster opening was not created because of a pending move. He said the Brewers simply wanted the flexibility to add a player should one they desire become available. "It's better to be proactive now and create an opening than waiting to do it should something come up," said Ash."
January 6
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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After guiding Class A Brevard County to the Florida State League playoffs in 2009, Mike Guerrero has been promoted by the Milwaukee Brewers to manage at Class AA Huntsville. Guerrero switched jobs with former Stars manager Bob Miscik, who drops down to manage Brevard in 2010. As previously announced by Class AAA Nashville, former Brewers infielder Don Money returns to manage for a second season. It will be Money's 13th season as a manager in the Brewers' system. Sandy Guerrero returns as hitting coach in Nashville and will be joined by new pitching coach Rich Gale, who held that post for Washington's Class A Hagerstown affiliate in 2009. Gale pitched for seven seasons in the majors with ..."
December 19
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Beyond re-signing free-agent reliever Claudio Vargas on Friday, the Milwaukee Brewers expanded their catching and pitching depth. The Brewers signed veteran backup catcher Matt Treanor to a minor-league deal and invited him to their spring camp, and did likewise with right-hander Kameron Loe, who pitched last season in Japan. Vargas, 31, will receive a $900,000 salary in 2010 with another $400,000 available in incentives. Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 31, the former starter was brilliant in 28 relief appearances with the Brewers, going 1-0 with a 1.78 earned run average. Overall, Vargas had a 1.74 ERA in 36 outings, held opponents to a .177 batting average and did not ..."
December 17
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Reliever LaTroy Hawkins likes to take charge of his career, on and off the field. With that in mind, the veteran right-hander went to Indianapolis last week to meet in person with teams interested in signing the free agent. One of those delegations represented the Milwaukee Brewers. "It helped he was in Indianapolis with his representative, Larry Reynolds," general manager Doug Melvin said Wednesday. "I had a chance to meet with him. Whenever you have a chance to meet with someone in person, it always helps negotiations. "LaTroy wanted to come up and meet us. We had a chance to spend some time with him. We expressed our interest in LaTroy and he expressed his interest in the Brewers." ..."
December 17
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Reliever LaTroy Hawkins likes to take charge of his career, on and off the field. With that in mind, the veteran right-hander went to Indianapolis last week to meet in person with teams interested in signing the free agent. One of those delegations represented the Milwaukee Brewers. "It helped he was in Indianapolis with his representative, Larry Reynolds," general manager Doug Melvin said Wednesday. "I had a chance to meet with him. Whenever you have a chance to meet with someone in person, it always helps negotiations. "LaTroy wanted to come up and meet us. We had a chance to spend some time with him. We expressed our interest in LaTroy and he expressed his interest in the Brewers." ..."
December 16
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Reliever Mark DiFelice, expected to miss the 2010 season after recent shoulder surgery, signed a minor-league deal Tuesday to remain in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization. The Brewers will stick with DiFelice, 33, through his rehabilitation period to see if he can pitch again at some point. He was 4-1 with a 3.66 ERA in 59 appearances in 2009. The Brewers also signed left-handed reliever A.J. Murray to a minor-league deal with an invitation to their spring training. Murray, 27, has been in Texas' system since 2001. He split last season between Class AA Frisco and Class AAA Oklahoma City, going 4-2 with a 2.87 ERA and one save in 41 appearances."