The injury-plagued Brewers put Jonathan Villar on DL and recalled Brett Phillips

PITTSBURGH - Beyond needing the all-star break to catch their breath after 20 consecutive days of action, the Brewers need it because of a growing casualty list.

Yet another player landed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday when second baseman Jonathan Villar was placed there with a right thumb injury of unknown severity. An MRI conducted later revealed no structural damage and the injury was diagnosed as a sprain, with no timetable to return to action. 

To replace Villar on the roster, the Brewers recalled outfielder Brett Phillips from Class AAA Colorado Springs and put him in right field for their first-half finale against Pittsburgh at PNC Park. 

Villar injured the thumb on his head-first slide into third base in the seventh inning of Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Pirates. He was thrown out (the call stood on video review) trying to go from first to third on a base hit for the first out of the inning with the Brewers, trailing 2-0, a decision manager Craig Counsell called "a mistake."

Now comes word that Villar was injured on the play, making it more regrettable. 

"He jammed it (into the base)," assistant general manager Matt Arnold said. "It looks like it's just a sprain but we're going to try to get more information this morning. It's hard to tell right now (how much time Villar will miss)."

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Villar became the seventh player currently on the 10-day disabled list, joining leftfielder Ryan Braun (back tightness), catcher Manny Piña (left biceps strain), right-hander Junior Guerra (forearm tightness), first baseman/outfielder Eric Thames (hamstring tightness), right-hander Zach Davies (shoulder, back) and reliever Matt Albers (shoulder inflammation).

"It's a lot," Arnold said. "We're fortunate that we have a lot of depth. We've stockpiled a lot of depth for that reason, so we feel good about that. Getting Brett Phillips here this morning is another guy we feel can step and play a pivotal role for us."

Phillips had a big day Saturday for the Sky Sox in a game in New Orleans, going 2 for 5 with a double, home run and three runs batted in. In 71 games with Colorado Springs, he is batting .240 with 12 doubles, seven triples, six home runs, 25 RBI and .311 OBP.

The Brewers hope to get back some of their walking wounded when the second half begins Friday, including Braun, Thames and Piña, and possibly Guerra.

"We hope so," said Arnold. "Those guys are working hard at coming back. They're a big part of what we're doing here. We hope to get them back shortly after the break."

Piña took regular batting practice Sunday for the first time since injuring his biceps and said he was making progress.

"I think I will come back after the all-star break, for sure," Piña said. "I don't feel anything in the biceps now; no pain. I just need to get my rhythm back swinging the bat."

Subero ready for Derby: Every year they hold the All-Star Home Run Derby, the question is asked: Who has the most pressure, the hitter or the "pitcher" throwing in essence batting practice. 

Brewers first baseman Jesús Aguilar selected first base coach Carlos Subero to throw to him during the Derby on Monday night in Washington, D.C., because Subero pitches BP to him almost every day and knows him. It will be up to Subero to throw offerings in Subero's "wheelhouse," allowing him to drive them in the air.

"Hopefully, I throw Aggie enough pitches where he can do damage," Subero said. "Every first experience, you wonder what it's going to be like. Neither of us has been in this environment.

"I'm sure he will embrace it in the right way and have fun. That's what we want to do. Go there and have fun. We are all so happy he was voted to go to the All-Star Game. He is having a great season."

Entering play Sunday, Aguilar was leading the National League with 24 home runs, a .626 slugging percentage and .996 OPS, and was third with 70 RBI.