Brewers option Domingo Santana to Class AAA Colorado Springs, summon infielder Brad Miller

With his power mysteriously missing all season and playing time eroding considerably of late, rightfielder Domingo Santana was in a tough spot with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The club finally decided Saturday to do something about it, optioning Santana to Class AAA Colorado Springs. It was a bold move with a player who belted 30 home runs last season and drove in 85 runs in 151 games.

"It's not something you want to have to do," manager Craig Counsell said. "He was a big part of our success last year. We just need to get him going. The best way to do that is to have him playing. Hopefully, he can get it going down there."

To replace Santana on their roster, the Brewers summoned infielder Brad Miller from Colorado Springs. Recently acquired from Tampa Bay in a trade for first baseman Ji-Man Choi, Miller was being used primarily at shortstop with the Sky Sox, giving another option for Orlando Arcia, who has been mired in a season-long slump, but started at second base against St. Louis.

Santana, 25, never got going at the plate this season, especially on the slugging front. He was batting .249 with only three homers, 17 RBI and a .667 slugging percentage. He had not started a game since the Chicago series on the last home stand, going two series-plus without being in the lineup.

THE GAME:5 Takeaways | Box score

ANALYSIS:Brewers kept pushing but couldn't come up with big hit

HAUDRICOURT:Numbers tell story of Brewers' offensive ups and downs

MLB:Live scoreboard, box scores, standings, statistics

With Jesus Aguilar forcing his way into regular playing time at first base by becoming the team's top offensive force, Counsell has been giving Eric Thames starts in the outfield, another reason for Santana's reduced playing time. Ryan Braun has been out of action after getting an injection in his ailing thumb but also is ready to play again, giving Counsell plenty of outfield choices.

"We looked at what Domingo's role was going to be moving forward," Counsell said. "We need to get Domingo going. At some point, we're going to need Domingo. We'd both prefer he'd be rolling and clicking when that time comes. It's tough to do when you're not playing that much. 

"Eric and 'Aggie' are playing well. We're trying to find ways to get them both in the lineup. That's a factor in this."

Asked if he was surprised Santana was sent out, Thames said, "Yeah, I think we all were. He was a big part of our team last year. This year, he had struggled so far. It's tough to cope with that. 

"You have to take it and try to find the positive in the situation. He'll go down and get at-bats, get his groove back and come back up here fast."

As for whether this means he'll play more in the outfield now, Thames said, "You never know. I'm not getting too caught up in that. I'm just going to see where I am in the lineup that day and work on getting prepared for that. It's a matter of the team winning."

Asked Friday night about the challenge of trying to get going at the plate while not getting many opportunities, Santana said, "Yeah, it's hard to go out there and succeed when you don't play every day. I've been trying to get into a good groove for a good while now.

"I feel like one day I get it and then the next day I can't sustain it. It's hard. But at the same time, I've just got to stay positive and keep working. I'm just trying to keep my head up and do as much as I can when I get the chance."

Miller had played in eight games at Colorado Springs, including six at shortstop. He was batting only .185 with one homer, two RBI and .554 OPS. 

"Brad has played all over the field," Counsell said. "He played a lot of shortstop for a while, then he played a lot of second base, then a lot of first base. So, he has moved around in different years but it's been a while since he played shortstop.

"That's been his challenge. What we may ask is that move around the field more regularly, on a daily basis, whether it be in double switches late in the game or in a starting role. He is versatile; he's a very good athlete. He has done this before; it's just a matter of getting him comfortable doing it again."

Miller, who was designated for assignment by the Rays before the trade, said he was looking forward to getting a chance to contribute to a first-place team.

"I'm pretty excited to get the call," he said. "They've been playing great. Everybody has been first-class to me. I'm just looking forward to contributing to a winning culture."

As for being back in the middle infield, Miller said, "I have the versatility to play anywhere but I'm definitely more comfortable and it feels more natural in the middle of the diamond. I'm excited to tackle that and get back in those spots, and contribute any way I can."