MILWAUKEE (AP) - Outfielder Brad Nelson will become a free agent after declining his outright assignment to the Milwaukee Brewers' Triple-A affiliate in Nashville.
Nelson struggled as a bench player for Milwaukee this season, going 0 for 21 mostly as a pinch hitter.Manager Ken Macha said Nelson's primary position is probably first base, leaving him sitting behind Prince Fielder.
"He probably would like to have an opportunity to try to play every day, and it's not going to happen with Prince here," Macha said.
The Brewers recalled highly regarded prospect Mat Gamel from Nashville on Thursday. He is expected to fill in as a pinch hitter and could serve as the designated hitter in the Brewers' upcoming interleague series at Minnesota next weekend.
The team also signed veteran Frank Catalanotto to a minor league contract and could eventually bring him up.
