Brewers add Lyles, place Albers back on DL

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers returned struggling reliever Matt Albers to the 10-day disabled list Tuesday to clear a spot for bullpen newcomer Jordan Lyles, the right-hander who was claimed off waivers from the Padres just in time to face his former team.
Albers had previously said he was healthy while allowing 10 earned runs on 10 hits in 1 2/3 innings over four appearances since coming off the DL for a right shoulder injury. But on Tuesday, he said he felt a "grab" in his left hamstring during the Brewers' West Coast road trip.
"It's not too bad, but the way things are going, maybe we'll give it a little bit of time and let it heal up a little bit." Albers said.
The Brewers were counting on Albers to pitch meaningful innings, like he did in March, April and May while posting a 1.08 ERA and a .198 opponents' average before shoulder discomfort set in. Since his return in a July 29 loss at San Francisco, opposing hitters are 10-for-15 against Albers with four home runs.
Albers said he had already discussed the possibility of a rehab assignment with the club, which would provide an opportunity to pitch in a low-pressure situation before an attempt at another comeback. He is in the first season of a two-year, $5 million contract.
In the meantime, the Brewers will take a look at Lyles, whom they claimed off waivers from San Diego on Sunday. That made for an easy transition for the 27-year-old, as the Padres were just down the road in Chicago playing the Cubs.

While getting settled in Milwaukee, Lyles found himself staying at the same hotel as his former Padres teammates.
"I will be in the scouting meeting, but that's one meeting I probably don't need to be in, since I know them so well," Lyles said.
After getting news of the transaction on Sunday, the first thing Lyles did was check the National League Central standings.
"This will be the first team I've been on this late in the season that has a winning record and a chance to go to the playoffs," said Lyles, a former first-round Draft pick who has pitched in the Majors for the Astros, Rockies and Padres. "All the personal stuff goes out the window."

Lyles pitched as a starter and a reliever this season for the Padres, but the Brewers have no plans to start him, manager Craig Counsell said. They like what he did in relief, throwing more curveballs and changeups and fewer sinkers and sliders while holding opponents to a .609 OPS.
"The stuff has played well," Counsell said. "It's not that these guys do anything differently, it's that they're facing [fewer] hitters in shorter outings. Often, that's a big part of the change."
Brewers add one pitcher, subtract another
The Brewers used the final opening on their 40-man roster to claim hard-throwing right-hander Ariel Hernandez off waivers from the Dodgers, optioning him to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Tuesday afternoon.
In another move, the Brewers traded Double-A Biloxi reliever Jon Perrin to the Royals for 22-year-old right-hander Sal Biasi.
Hernandez is 26 and appeared in 19 games for the Reds last season, including an April 24, 2017, debut at Miller Park in which he struck out five in 2 2/3 perfect innings. He threw three fastballs above 100 mph in that outing, and topped out at 100.4 mph later in the summer.
As might be expected, that kind of velocity comes with some command issues. Hernandez walked 22 batters vs. 29 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings in the Majors last season, and he has averaged 6.4 walks per nine innings in the Minors.
Davies to continue rehab assignment
Zach Davies was expected back at Miller Park on Tuesday after throwing 79 pitches in his latest rehab start for Colorado Springs on Monday night. It will be a brief stay; the club is discussing plans for at least one more Minor League start before officials consider bringing Davies back from the DL. He's been sidelined by a back injury and before that, a shoulder injury.
"I feel like we're making some progress," Counsell said.