Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Brewers’ ace sidelined


Injured Brewers pitcher Ben Sheets is 10-4 with a 3.39 earned run average. Associated Press
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Ben Sheets will miss four to six weeks after an ultrasound Monday revealed a partial tear of the tissue surrounding the tendon in his right middle finger.

Sheets left his start Saturday night in the fourth inning after he felt something pop while throwing a 3-2 pitch that Colorado’s Todd Helton fouled off.

The Brewers placed him on the 15-day disabled list on Monday and called up pitcher Grant Balfour to take his place.

Brewers officials said Sheets will rest for 10 to 14 days and then begin to throw with a splint.

“What we’re going to do is we’re going to rest him for a couple of days and see if his finger feels better and then we’ll start him on a rehab program,” said Brewers manager Ned Yost. “How long we’re going to rest him depends on how long it takes for the finger to feel a little better.”

Sheets made the National League All-Star team and is 10-4 with a 3.39 earned run average.

Rookie Yovani Gallardo pitched 4 2/3 innings and gave up only one hit when he replaced Sheets in the Brewers’ 2-1, 10-inning victory Saturday and will take Sheets’ spot in the five-man rotation. Gallardo is 1-1 with a 2.83 ERA.

Clearing the bases

In the aftermath of another bad performance by their bullpen, the Chicago White Sox optioned reliever Nick Masset to the minors and purchased the contract of right-hander Ehren Wasserman. Chicago’s bullpen is 3-13 with a 7.52 ERA and nine blown saves in its past 58 games. … The Pittsburgh Pirates signed first-round draft pick Daniel Moskos and assigned him to their Bradenton farm club in the rookie Gulf Coast League. … The Colorado Rockies optioned infielder Omar Quintanilla to Triple-A Colorado Springs and recalled right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez from the same minor league team. … The Kansas City Royals recalled righty Leo Nunez from Triple-A Omaha to make his first major league start in the team’s game against the Boston Red Sox. Lefty Neal Musser was optioned back to Triple-A to make room on the roster for Nunez. … The Tampa Bay Devil Rays optioned reliever Jon Switzer to Triple-A Durham to open a roster spot for injured closer Al Reyes.