MILWAUKEE -- The agent for relief pitcher Jose Capellan contacted the Brewers Sunday and requested a trade after the right-hander was the final pitcher cut from the Opening Day roster.
Capellan went 4-2 with a 4.40 ERA for the Brewers last season in 61 relief appearances, second on the team to Derrick Turnbow's 64, but the Brewers elected to keep right-hander Greg Aquino on the roster over Capellan and Chris Spurling. Aquino was 2-0 with a 4.47 ERA in 42 games with Arizona last season, and was traded in November to Milwaukee.
"I have a lot of respect for [Brewers general manager] Doug Melvin, but I made it clear that I think it's time for the Brewers to relinquish control of Capellan," said Bill Rego, Capellan's Florida-based agent. "I sense he was open to the idea after we talked.
"It is my opinion that you have to look at what a player did to contribute to an organization in the previous year," Rego said. "You look at 60-plus appearances, 16 holds. He was a workhorse for the Brewers."
Capellan was asked to report by Wednesday to Nashville, which opens its season at home. Rego would not say whether the player planned to report, and was asked what would happen if the team could not arrange a trade.
"I guess we will have to answer that question when the time comes," Rego said.
Capellan was upset when given the news Sunday that he was not on the team. He left Miller Park, skipping a scheduled autograph session and the team's final spring workout. The 26-year-old even told some teammates he might retire.
"That was said in the heat of battle," Rego said. "Jose has a lot of years left in baseball. He of course was disappointed."
In 11 Spring Training games, Capellan had a 5.06 ERA. Aquino had a 4.50 ERA in 12 games, and according to Melvin and Brewers manager Ned Yost, outperformed both Capellan and Spurling.
"And it's not just Spring Training," Melvin said, pointing to Capellan's 8.00 ERA last September.
"I talked to the agent, and I told him I'm not going to give Jose Capellan away," Melvin said. "I understand he's not happy here, but he's got to go play. We didn't have Francisco Cordero [at the beginning of] last year. We didn't have Elmer Dessens last year. We didn't have Carlos Villanueva last year at this time. We're just deeper and better. There's no doubt that Capellan can be in the big leagues. He's the 13th man on a 12-man staff right now."
Melvin said the Brewers are still mulling Capellan's role should he report to Nashville. Dennis Sarfate is expected to get most of the opportunities to close games, and Melvin said Capellan could see action in multiple-inning stints, and may even start games.
"He needs to get some innings," Melvin said.
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