Brewers promote Axford

The Brewers purchased right-hander John Axford's contract Monday morning from Triple-A Nashville and he will be in the bullpen wearing uniform No. 59 for the opener of a three-game series against the Cardinals. Axford, 26, was 9-1 with a 2.77 ERA in 45 relief appearances between three Brewers affiliated this season, including 5-0 with a 3.55 ERA in 22 games at Nashville.

Axford replaces Jesus Colome, whom the Brewers released Sunday to clear a 40-man roster spot. The team would have added Axford to the 40-man this winter, anyway, to avoid exposing him to the Rule 5 Draft.