In order to clear a roster spot for Jimmy Nelson to come up and make a spot start Sunday, the Milwaukee Brewers outrighted infielder Jeff Bianchi to Triple-A Nashville.
Bianchi has already cleared waivers but can refuse the assignment because he has already been outrighted to the minor leagues once before.
"We hope he doesn't (refuse the assignment)," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "I talked to his agent, and we told him how much we want him here."
After winning the utility spot by hitting .309 in spring training, Bianchi has just eight hits in 55 at-bats (.145 batting average) this season. The versatile infielder has started six games at shortstop and five games at third base for the Brewers, filling in when Jean Segura and Aramis Ramirez have been out with injuries.
Bianchi was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs in January of 2012 and made his big-league debut with the Brewers later that year, hitting .188 in 33 games.
The 27-year-old began the 2013 season on the disabled list with left hip bursitis but returned in early May. Bianchi made 54 starts for the Brewers in 2013, hitting .237 with a home run.
Milwaukee needed to clear a roster spot in order to add Nelson to the 25-man roster for Sunday's series finale with the Miami Marlins. Right-hander Yovani Gallardo is unable to pitch Sunday due to a sprained left ankle, but the injury isn't considered serious enough to require a stint on the disabled list.
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