Overbay leaves team for birth of son

PITTSBURGH -- The Brewers placed backup first baseman Lyle Overbay on the paternity list Thursday morning while he hustled back to Milwaukee, arriving just in time to be by wife Sarah's side as she gave birth to the couple's fifth child.

Eddie Christian Overbay was born about a week and a half ahead of schedule, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. The Overbays now have four sons and a daughter in the family.

"He texted me this morning and didn't go into detail, but she was ready," Roenicke said.

Major League rules allow for three days of paternity leave, but if all continues to go well on the home front Overbay might return a day early, in time for Saturday's game against the Pirates. In the meantime, the Brewers promoted utility man Elian Herrera from Triple-A Nashville to take Overbay's place.

Herrera can play all over the field, including shortstop and center field. If the Brewers need a backup for first baseman Mark Reynolds while Overbay is out, Roenicke said he could use catchers Martin Maldonado and Jonathan Lucroy or infielder Jeff Bianchi.

"We're covered there," Roenicke said.