Two days after being designated for assignment to make room for emergency starter Tyler Thornburg, Brewers infielder Brooks Conrad was scooped up on waivers by Tampa Bay.
The club announced Thursday that Conrad had been claimed by the Rays, as well as another move to bolster the overused bullpen.
Reliever Mike McClendon will join the club from Triple-A Nashville in time for Friday’s series opener in Chicago against the White Sox.
A roster spot was made available for McClendon on Wednesday when the Brewers sent Thornburg to Nashville.
Conrad struggled offensively with the Brewers, hitting .075 (3 for 40) with two home runs during two different stints on the big league roster. The utility man tore up Triple-A, hitting .405 with Nashville, but was hitless in his first 27 at bats with the Brewers.
This marks the third time McClendon has been called up this season, though the right-hander has appeared in just four big league games. McClendon has tossed eight innings in 2012, posting a 6.75 ERA.
