Herrera gets start as Bianchi nurses sore elbow

MILWAUKEE -- Utility player Elian Herrera, recalled Saturday from Triple-A Nashville when Jean Segura was placed on bereavement leave, got his first Brewers start at shortstop as Jeff Bianchi was bothered by a sore elbow.

Herrera, who has started at all three outfield positions during three previous stints with Milwaukee this season, went into Saturday's game against St. Louis as a late-inning replacement at short.

"I liked the two balls that he had yesterday that were hit to him," manager Ron Roenicke said. "He looked good on those. Bianchi's got a little sore elbow. That's why he's in there."

Herrera has played the infield in the big leagues before. He made 44 starts with the Dodgers in 2012, including 14 games at third base and nine at second.

"The importance of being versatile is huge because you can't carry enough guys on your bench in the National League," Roenicke said. "You're always using somebody either early to pinch-hit or if it's a double switch, and you go through your bench pretty fast."

Herrera made the most of his start, tallying a career-high five hits.

"I was trying to be 100 percent into the game," Herrera said after the 11-2 victory. "This game was really important for us. Every at-bat, I was just trying to do the best that I can. Try and be focused."