Milwaukee placed 3B-R Wes Helms on the disabled list last week with a strained right hamstring. Helms first injured his hamstring in late July and attempted to play through the injury before succumbing to the DL when it became clear that he was only aggravating the problem. His condition isn't considered serious, and he may be able to rejoin the team when he's first eligible to leave the disabled list on August 21st. However, the Brewers would prefer he rest now rather than limp through the remainder of the season.

The Brewers called up OF-R Mark Smith to replace Helms on the roster. Smith was hitting .294 with a .337 OBP and .485 SLG on .114 H, 25 2B, 2 3B, and 15 HR with a 21:58 BB:K and 3/5 SB% in 388 AB at AAA Indianapolis in the International League at the time of his promotion. The 33-year-old should perform decently as a fifth outfielder for Milwaukee, especially if he can relocate the stronger plate discipline he displayed in AAA last year. He should remain with the team through September.

Keith Ginter has taken over at third in Helms' absence. The two 27-year-olds possess similar power skills, but Helms has shown slightly better plate discipline this year. While Helms won the starting job by virtue of a pre-existing relationship with manager Ned Yost, the Brewers shouldn't notice any change in production from third with CR-R Ginter fielding the position.

A couple weeks in the minors appeared to allow LHP Glendon Rusch to correct the problems that plagued him over the first few months of the season. Unfortunately, Rusch strained his left groin during his July 28th game in New York. While the strain isn't considered severe, he's yet to begin throwing, so I don't expect him to rejoin the club until September. Despite his July improvement, the Brewers will likely exercise their $500,000 buyout on his $5M 2004 option. Consequently, I'm not sure that Rusch will have a rotation spot when he returns, as Milwaukee may want to give the starts to pitchers with a future in the organization.

Milwaukee initially called up RHP David Manning to replace Rusch on the roster and in the rotation. The Brewers grabbed Manning from the Twins in last season's minor league Rule 5 draft. At the time of his promotion, he had compiled a 73:56 K:BB with 99 H and 7 HR allowed in 95 IP at Indianapolis. Although Manning turns 31 today, he'd not appeared in the majors prior to this season. Sadly, he may not receive another opportunity as the control problems evident in his minor league numbers followed him to the majors and marred his two starts, prompting the Brewers to send Manning back to AAA on Sunday. LHP Doug Davis now holds Manning's roster and rotation spots.