Milwaukee Brewers

Brewers reinstate Garza, designate former closer Feliz for assignment

Published Jun. 14, 2017 3:45 p.m. ET

What was expected to be a standard transaction is suddenly making waves in Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Brewers made a predictable move Wednesday afternoon, reinstating starting pitcher Matt Garza from the 10-day disabled list.

Fellow starter Paolo Espino, who struggled last week in his second career start, was expected to head back to Triple-A upon Garza's return.

Instead, Milwaukee designated reliever Neftali Feliz for assignment to make room for Garza, sending one of their biggest offseason acquisitions to the minors just 29 games into his Brewers career.

It's a stunning turn of events for Feliz, who signed a one-year contract with the Brewers in January worth $5.35 million and started the season as Milwaukee's closer.

Feliz lost the job to Corey Knebel after giving up two runs in a lost to the Boston Red Sox on May 11, and has allowed 11 hits and seven earned runs in 11 appearances since the move.

The veteran has struggled to keep the ball in the ballpark this season, and has allowed eight home runs in just 27 innings.

Garza is set to start for the Brewers on Thursday, and has a 3.83 ERA through eight starters and 44 2/3 innings pitched.