The Brewers have designated 32-year old righty reliever Claudio Vargas for assignment to make room on the roster for Chris Capuano. Vargas pitched in 17 games (0 starts) for the Brewers this year and he was 1-0 with a 7.32 ERA and a 1.93 WHIP. He has pitched in 74 games (23 starts) in his three years with the Brewers and he is 13-6 with 1 save, a 4.78 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. His velocity was down a lot this season and that is the main reason he was let go.

UPDATE: (6/5/2010) - The Brewers have released Claudio Vargas after he has cleared waivers.

The Brewers have called up 31-year old lefty starting pitcher Chris Capuano. Capuano has started 7 games in A+AAA-ball this year and he was 3-1 with a 1.59 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. He only has walked 4 batters this season while whiffing 33 in 39 2/3 innings. The Brewers hope that he’s back because they need the help. He missed the last two years due to arm problems. Capuano has pitched in 124 games (116 starts) in his major league career and he is 42-48 with a 4.39 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.

The Brewers have placed 32-year old lefty swinging outfielder Jody Gerut on the D.L. with a bruised left heel. Gerut has played in 32 games for the Brewers this year and he is 14 of 71 (.197 avg, .596 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 2 homers and 8 RBIs. The Brewers have called 30-year old lefty swinging outfielder Adam Stern back up to replace Gerut on the roster. Stern has played in 4 games earlier this season for the Brewers and he was 0 for 6 (.000 avg) with a RBI.

The Brewers have signed 24-year old righty reliever Eduardo Morlan to a minor league deal. Morlan has pitched in 13 games (0 starts) in AA-ball this season and he is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. He has now pitched 7 years in the minors covering 187 games (34 starts) in which he is 29-21 with 26 saves, a 3.25 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Morlan was once a highly thought of prospect so the Brewers hope that giving him another chance will get him on the way.

The Brewers need to add bullpen help right now or they are going to be big time sellers in July. That means they will have to give up prospects that they have tried to hold onto for a while. Here’s a look at how the Brewers match up with teams that have relievers available:

Chicago White Sox: The White Sox would probably be willing to deal Bobby Jenks/J.J. Putz. The Brewers might be able to get both of them for a package of Lorenzo Cain, Taylor Green and Angel Salome. I tend to think that price would be a little too high to pay.

Cleveland Indians: The Indians have Kerry Wood, Rafael Perez and Jensen Lewis on the block. The Indians would probably require Mat Gamel and Lorenzo Cain for the three of them.

Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates would probably be willing to trade Octavio Dotel, D.J. Carrasco, Brendan Donnelly and Javier Lopez to the Brewers for Mat Gamel and Lorenzo Cain.

Houston Astros: Brandon Lyon, Matt Lindstrom and Tim Byrdak could likely all be had for Lorenzo Cain, Angel Salome or Jonathan Lucroy and Mat Gamel.

The Brewers can either keep their prospects and watch the season go down the toilet or they can pay up to improve the bullpen and make a run this year. It will be interesting to see which way they choose to go.