Herrera making most of brief stint with Brewers

PITTSBURGH -- Two or three days in the big leagues are better than none, Brewers utility man Elian Herrera said Friday.

Herrera, the last position player cut in Spring Training, hustled to Pittsburgh on Thursday after the Brewers placed first baseman Lyle Overbay on the paternity list. Herrera's flight landed in Pittsburgh at 4 p.m. ET, but by the time he got his bags and navigated to downtown, it was after 6 p.m.

He will make the return trip on Saturday or Sunday, depending on when Overbay returns.

"I can say it doesn't matter how short or long the time is," Herrera said. "Every time we are here, we are happy to be here. This is where we want to be, right? It doesn't matter if it's just for a short time, it's good to know that you are one of the first choices for them if something happens, and you can just come here."

There was a time in his career that Herrera resisted the utility role, but has since discovered its benefits. Claimed off waivers from the Dodgers last November, Herrera spent his first Spring Training with the Brewers proving his proficiency all over the diamond, including shortstop and center field. He's also a switch-hitter.

After appearing at five different positions in Spring Training, Herrera started games in center field, at second base and at first base during the first two weeks of Triple-A Nashville's season.

"I just like to be in the lineup, it doesn't matter where," Herrera said. "Before I started playing like that, I always wanted to just play one position. But when I started playing everywhere, I saw I was in the lineup almost every day. I was like, 'OK, it's going to be like that,' because I'm going to be in the lineup every day. For the last three years, I love the role I've been in."