Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Brewers send down Weeks, bring up newbie Joe Dillon and Elmer Dessens

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WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2007, 1:17 a.m.By Tom Haudricourt

Brewers send Weeks to Class AAA Nashville

The Brewers made a series of player moves after their 13-inning victory over the Mets Tuesday night, including sending slump-ridden second baseman Rickie Weeks to Class AAA Nashville.

The Brewers replaced Weeks on their roster with infielder/outfielder Joe Dillon, who was batting .317 at Nashville with team highs of 20 home runs and 73 RBI. Dillon, who will be 32 on Thursday, is a 10-year professional who has played only 27 games in the major leagues.

The Brewers also succesfully petitioned to place reliever Scott Linebrink on the bereavement list after his wife had a baby by Caesarean section on Tuesday. Linebrink, acquired from San Diego in a trade last week, probably will not rejoin the club before Friday.

To replace Linebrink in their weary bullpen, the Brewers recalled right-hander Elmer Dessens from his minor league rehabilitation assignment in Nashville. Dessens, who spent much of the season on the Brewers' disabled list with a shoulder strain, made three appearances for Nashville, going 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA (seven hits and two runs in 11 2/3 innings, with 10 strikeouts).

The Brewers decided they could wait no longer for Weeks to shake free from his season-long slump.

Weeks had surgery on his right wrist last August and experienced inflammation periodically, landing him on the DL for one three-week period.

But Weeks never could get going at the plate. He was batting .212 with five homers and 19 RBI in 75 games. Since coming off the DL on June 18, he was batting .156.Dillon is more of a corner infielder but the Brewers have veteran infielders Tony Graffanino and Craig Counsell to fill in at second base.

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