Crew sends Knebel, Rogers to Triple-A

CINCINNATI -- The Brewers optioned right-hander Corey Knebel and utility man Jason Rogers to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday and recalled right-handers Tyler Cravy and David Goforth.

"Just needing fresh arms," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "I think a product of us winning, [and] an extra-inning game last night, we've gotten I think 14 or 15 innings from the bullpen the last four days and we've had a lot of guys [who've pitched] three in a row, four out of five, five in a row. We just want to make sure that we can protect ourselves in case anything comes up."

Since being called up in mid-May, Knebel had been used sparingly. He's pitched in 19 games, allowing seven runs in 21 1/3 innings.

"This is his first season of really going after it and I thought it was best if he didn't pitch today, didn't pitch tomorrow, maybe another day even and we just need guys before that," Counsell said.

In 51 games for the Brewers, Rogers hit .236 with two home runs and seven RBIs.

The team will likely use Cravy as a multi-inning reliever. In 14 starts with Triple-A, the right-hander went 7-5 with a 3.79 ERA.

Cravy made his Major League debut on June 2 in a start against the Cardinals. He recorded a loss despite giving up only one run on four hits and two walks in seven innings.

"I thought I threw the ball okay," Cravy said of the start on June 2. "Wasn't doing anything special, wasn't trying to overthrow either. Just let them get themselves out."

In 25 games with Colorado Springs, Goforth went 0-3 with a 2.84 ERA. He pitched in four games for the Brewers earlier this season, allowing just one hit in 2 1/3 innings.

"Spent some time at Miller Park, I got to go on a few road trips so I know kind of what to expect with the traveling, being on the road and playing in the big leagues," Goforth said. "It definitely helped to get those first couple weeks in and kind of get my feet wet. Now I'll know more about what to expect and kind of how things are run."