Brewers running out of time to make decision on Weaver

5/10/2008 2:39 PM

By COLIN FLY
AP Sports Writer

MILWAUKEE (AP) -The Brewers must decide soon if they plan to add veteran Jeff Weaver to their rotation.

Weaver, who'll make his third Triple-A start for Nashville on Sunday in Las Vegas, struggled in his first outing, but pitched seven innings in his most recent performance on Tuesday, giving up a run off four hits.

If Milwaukee doesn't call him up by June 1, Weaver can opt out of a contract that would pay him $1.25 million in salary with a chance to earn $2.75 million more in performance bonuses.

``He's pitched well, he's done extremely well. We're pleased with what he has done. We're pleased with his progress,'' general manager Doug Melvin said. ``The guys here have obviously, you look at just the raw numbers, the performances of the guys here, there needs to be improvement.''

No starter other than staff ace Ben Sheets has won a decision since April 5. The bottom of the rotation - Manny Parra, Carlos Villanueva and Dave Bush - are a combined 2-10 with a 6.39 ERA in 19 starts.

Villanueva (1-4, 6.46 ERA) has made it through seven innings once, Bush (0-4, 6.98 ERA) to six innings and Parra (1-2, 5.79 ERA) has never made it past 5 1-3 innings so far this year. The trio have given up 124 hits and 47 walks in 101 1-3 combined innings.

Weaver was 7-13 with a 6.20 ERA for the Seattle Mariners last season after helping the St. Louis Cardinals win the 2006 World Series. The nine-year veteran has also pitched for the Tigers, Yankees, Dodgers and Angels, compiling a record of 93-114 with a 4.72 ERA.

Manager Ned Yost said ``maybe'' Weaver and his veteran presence could help a rotation struggling behind Sheets and Jeff Suppan. The Brewers also lost Yovani Gallardo earlier this month to a torn ligament in his right knee, and Yost said he needs to settle down his rotation.

``We need to get that ironed out, one way or another,'' Yost said. ``We need to get some of those numbers knocked down, get a little more consistent.''

Melvin said pro scouting director Dick Groch would watch Weaver on Sunday. Then at an organizational meeting on Monday, the Brewers could decide to bring Weaver up immediately, after a few starts or not at all.

``The toughest thing is the same hitters you're going to face in the big leagues aren't the same type hitters in Triple-A,'' Melvin said. ``There's not a lot of Albert Pujolses or Derrek Lees or Aramis Ramirezes in Triple-A.''

The 31-year-old Weaver is making $12,000 a month in the minors, but would get $100,000 bonuses for 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 innings, and $250,000 bonuses for 75 innings and each additional 10 innings through 135 on the major league level.