Brewers add RHP Joel Kuhnel to roster ahead of series vs. A's

LAS VEGAS -- Right-hander Joel Kuhnel, acquired by Milwaukee from the Athletics on Saturday for cash, was added to active roster before Monday's game against the A's to bolster the Brewers' injury-riddled bullpen.

The Brewers optioned right-hander Craig Yoho to Triple-A Nashville.

Kuhnel was 1-2 with a 4.21 ERA with four saves in 25 appearances with the A's this season. Kuhnel allowed seven runs on 12 hits in eight innings over his last seven appearances. Kuhnel last pitched Thursday, giving up four runs in the ninth inning to take the loss in a 7-6 defeat against the Cubs.

In the last week, the Brewers placed three relievers on the 15-day injured list, all left-handers: Rob Zastryzny (left trapezius strain), DL Hall (left pectoral strain) and Brian Fitzpatrick (left UCL strain).

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Kuhnel probably would be used wherever needed.

"Obviously with pitching injuries, we need some depth," Murphy said before Monday's game. "So, how he'll fit in, he's probably not going to crack that leverage at the end, seven, eight, nine to start with. But depending on the game situation, depending on the health of those guys and how much they've pitched, we certainly wouldn't shy away from using him in big situations."

Yoho was called up Friday and pitched in two of the three games in the Brewers' sweep at Colorado over the weekend, allowing one run on a homer in three innings.

The Brewers also announced Monday that veteran right-hander Jake Woodford, who was designated for assignment on Friday, rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Nashville and opted to become a free agent. Woodford, acquired from Tampa Bay a week before the regular season, was 1-0 with a 6.94 ERA in 16 appearances with Milwaukee.

--Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media