Nick Neugebauer received a second opinion on his injured shoulder Tuesday. Doctors agree that Neugebauer has a strained rotator cuff and is suffering from increasing tendinitis in his right shoulder. Milwaukee placed Neugebauer on the DL May 15th a few days after he felt pain in his shoulder during a workout.

The Brewers first thought that though he missed a start, he would not need to spend time on the disabled list, but after he experienced troubles during a bullpen throwing session, they decided to order an MRI and place him on the DL. Neugebauer's first stint in the majors was cut short last season with shoulder problems that sent him to the disabled list. He underwent shoulder surgery last September to repair a slight labrum tear and a partial rotator cuff tear and has been troubled with tendinitis in the shoulder since that time.

Before he can begin to throw again, the inflammation in his shoulder will need to go down. If the medication works, he'll begin a throwing program and then likely pitch a few rehab starts before rejoining the team, so I don't really expect him back much before the All-Star break.

Milwaukee recalled Brian Mallette to take Neugebauer's roster spot. Mallette has bounced between AAA and the majors several times this season, appearing when the Brewers have an injury and then returning to the minors when they want a fresh arm for the pen. He most recently returned to AAA when Jamey Wright rejoined the team after a stint on the DL; Wright's injured initiated Mallette's first major league promotion. The time on the DL appears to have allowed Wright to recover from his shoulder tendinitis.

Mallette's only made a total of five appearances in his three call-ups. In 5 IP, he has a 5:3 K:BB with 7 H and 3 HR allowed, though 2 of those homers were given up to Shawn Green in his four-dinger game. He's currently awaiting a decision on his appeal of a suspension received for allegedly intentionally throwing at Austin Kearns in a May 8th game at Cinergy Field.

Prior to replacing Neugebauer, Mallette was called up to replace Nelson Figueroa and then demoted for Everett Stull. Milwaukee placed Figueroa on the DL in early May after he sprained his ankle shagging balls in a pre-game warm up. His recovery went well and Figueroa's already rejoined the team.

The Brewers sent Takaki Nomura to the minors when Figueroa returned from the DL. Nomura compiled a 9:18 K:BB in 13.2 IP with 11 H and 2 HR. Milwaukee had hoped he would be an effective left-handed reliever for the club and was disappointed in his performance. Nomura isn't likely to rejoin the team unless either Ray King or Valerio de los Santos suffers from injury or ineffectiveness.

Milwaukee designated Everett Stull for assignment in order to clear space on the roster for de los Santos. Stull cleared waivers and accepted his assignment to AAA. Stull made two spot starts for the Brewers while he was in the majors due to simultaneous injuries of Wright and Figueroa. He compiled a 7:9 K:BB and allowed 15 H in 10 IP. Overall, he didn't pitch particularly well, but he avoided blowouts and pitched deep enough into both games so as not to overtask the bullpen.

Aside from last year, he's bounced between AAA and the majors for the last five seasons. Control problems have kept him in AAA for the majority of the time, though his other skills are generally solid. Stull missed virtually all of last season aside from some minor league rehab innings due to a shoulder injury.

De los Santos underwent Tommy John surgery last April and started this season in AAA to work on his control. At the end of April, he was called back to the Dominican Republic due to visa problems. When he returned his age had been adjusted like so many players this off-season. However, de los Santos argues that he's the victim of extortion, and that had he paid a bribe, his age would not have been altered. He's pitched well since joining the team with a 4:2 K:BB in 5 IP and only 2 H allowed.

In addition to their pitching ailments, the Brewers have lost two position players this May. Milwaukee placed Raul Casanova on the DL in mid-May after the catcher tore a ligament in his elbow. Luckily, he won't need surgery to repair the damage. However, the ligament will need six weeks of rest in order to heal. If we add on a rehab assignment, Casanova is unlikely to return to the team until after the All-Star break.

The Brewers called up Marcus Jensen to take Casanova's roster spot. Jensen will serves as Milwaukee's back-up catcher with Paul Bako receiving the majority of the at-bats in Casanova's absence.

Matt Stairs injured his left hamstring in a May 9th game in Chicago. He attempted to play twice in the next 10 days before Milwaukee place him on the DL May 19th. The Brewers do not appear to have a schedule for his return.

Milwaukee called up Luis Lopez to replace Stairs on the roster. Lopez started the season on the DL with a strained calf more because the Brewers lacked roster space than because he was truly incapacitated. They still have too many infielders, and as a result, Lopez has only received 6 at-bats since his activation. However Stairs' injury allows them to shuffle the roster while they presumably attempt to trade someone.