Brewers purchase Elmore, designate Presley

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers designated slumping outfielder Alex Presley for assignment on Tuesday, and purchased utility man Jake Elmore's contract from Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Elmore, 29, has appeared in the Majors in each of the past four seasons for four teams, posting a .215/.277/.288 slash line for the D-backs, Astros, Reds and Rays. He was batting .320/.428/.380 at hitter-friendly Colorado Springs and arrived at Miller Park after two hours' sleep and a long day of travel to see his name in the starting lineup against Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias.
"I could have no sleep and still feel great," said Elmore, who manned second base. "It's always good to get thrown in the mix early."
Versatility is Elmore's chief asset. Despite limited opportunities in the Majors, he has appeared at every position, including pitcher and catcher. In 2013, Elmore became the first player in Astros history to play all nine positions in a single season, becoming the 14th player in Major League history to catch and pitch in the same game on Aug. 19 of that season, and capping his trip around the diamond with an inning in center field on Sept. 11.
Elmore is a natural infielder, and that's where the Brewers figure to use him most. Until Tuesday, manager Craig Counsell had only one extra infielder on the bench, Hernan Perez.
"I'm hoping [the versatility] gives Counsell some flexibility," Elmore said. "He knows I can play outfield and infield. Also, if he needs to pinch-run for a catcher in the eighth or ninth, maybe it will give him more comfort knowing I've caught before."
Presley had been with the Brewers since mid-April, and he hit .198/.271/.293 in 129 plate appearances. He was 2-for-18 in June off the Brewers' bench.
"It's a hard job. I don't pretend it's not a hard job," Counsell said. "Alex knows it's a hard job. But, in the end, you need production. Jake has been playing regularly and is a little more in tune with his swing. We'll try to ride that a little bit."
Worth noting
• Former first-round Draft pick Trent Clark returned to the disabled list at Class A Wisconsin on Tuesday with a right hamstring strain, Brewers farm director Tom Flanagan said.
Clark, drafted 14th overall by the Brewers in 2015 and ranked by MLBPipeline.com as the organization's No. 5 prospect, was hitting .227 with a .359 on-base percentage in 27 games at Wisconsin, where he has served as the starting center fielder. He last played Saturday, logging multiple hits for the second straight game.
It marks Clark's second DL stint this season. He also missed time with a hamstring strain last month.