It's not that Melvin is unwilling to make a move; it's just that any kind of deal that would replace Gallardo would cost way too much to be prudent. Conversely, the likelihood of another team willing to part with a starting pitcher even remotely close to the 22-year-old right-hander's caliber is slim to none.

"You're not going to find a lot of teams that are willing to give up a pitcher like Yovani on May 2,"  Melvin said.

To obtain a pitcher like that, Melvin would likely have to part with one of his core positional players, which he has expressed little interest in doing in the past. Another option would be to surrender a package of prospects, but after giving up three promising pitchers last season for Scott Linebrink, a potential deal seems even more unlikely.

Melvin said that he's been in contact with some of his counterparts, but there is nothing brewing, so to speak.

Instead, the Brewers will replace Gallardo with one of their own. Dave Bush was recalled from Class AAA Nashville, just less than a week after being sent down in the hopes of the right-hander working on his consistency.

He made one start with the Sounds, allowing one run in six innings of work. He returned to the Brewers on Friday, and saw his first action Saturday night when he came on in relief of Manny Parra in the fifth inning of a 6-2 loss. 

A surplus of starting pitching was supposed to make the rotation a strong suit for the Brewers heading into 2008, but injuries took a toll. Gallardo injured his left knee early in spring training while Chris Capuano was shut down for the season after tearing a ligament in his arm.

Sheets feeling fine: Right-hander Ben Sheets' second start after sitting out with soreness in his right triceps was much better than his first. He pitched 6 1/3 innings Sunday in Houston, allowing four runs on seven hits with a home run. He struck out six batters, leaving him one shy of Teddy Higuera's franchise record of 1,081.

Sheets is 4-0 with an ERA of 2.29. He helped his own cause with an RBI double in the second inning; his first hit of the season and his second extra-base hit of his career (he also doubled in 2002). His batting average is .071.

Sheets has left the game with a lead every time he's pitched this season, but a pair of blown saves have kept Sheets from a 6-0 record. 

No news on Turnbow: There's nothing new to report on the fate of Derrick Turnbow. The beleaguered reliever was designated for assignment last week after failing to get out of the eighth inning in a blowout loss at Wrigley Field. Turnbow allowed six runs in that outing and saw his ERA balloon to 15.63. The team has until Thursday to place Turnbow on waivers.

Should another team claim him, that team would be required to pick up the $2.7 million in salary. It's unlikely that Turnbow, 30, would be an attractive trade option for other teams. To demote him to the minors, he would have to clear waivers. Turnbow, who is out of options, could refuse such an assignment and become a free agent, but would forfeit the remainder of his salary.

The Brewers would also be on the hook for Turnbow's salary should they decide to release him outright or if he accepts the assignment to Nashville.

Personal day: Shortstop J.J. Hardy sat out the final game of the Astros series on Sunday. He's struggled at the plate this season, batting just .228 with a home run and nine RBI, while hitting in the seventh spot in the lineup, ahead of the pitcher.

Yost wouldn't use Hardy's batting position as an excuse for the slow start.

"J.J. is a very smart hitter, a very intelligent hitter," Yost told reporters prior to Sunday's game. "Granted, yes, there is going to be times when he doesn't get anything to hit ... (but) not enough to determine whether he hits 10 or 20 home runs."

Last season, Hardy was named to his first all-star team after hitting .280 in the first half. Fifteen of his 18 home runs before the break came in April and May. Hardy finished the season with a .277 average, 24 home runs and 80 RBI.

Hardy also sat out the finale of the Chicago series. In both instances, Yost inserted Craig Counsell's left-handed bat into the lineup.

Yost sent Hardy in to pinch-hit in the  11th inning of the Brewers' 8-6 loss to Houston. He singled and flew out to left in two trips.

Way to rebound: Watching the Brewers get pummeled, 19-5,  by the Cubs last week was painful for players, coaches, management and fans, alike. Still though, the loss wasn't as harmless as it could have been because Milwaukee still managed to win the series.

The Brewers, who were abysmal on the road last season, have taken two series from the Cubs in Chicago as well as two-of-three from the Mets at Shea Stadium. 

 The Brewers are 9-9 on the road this year after finishing with the second-worst road record in the National League (32-49) in 2007.

Getting into a groove: LF Ryan Braun is starting to show signs that he's getting back to his 2007 form. Braun was 8 for 25 during the road trip with nine RBI and two home runs. He's hit safely in 10 of his last 13 games and has raised his average to 268. In left field, Braun has preformed fairly well defensively. There have been some isolated gaffes, including missing the cut-off man against Florida during the last home stand, but Braun has yet to commit an error in his first 30 games this year. Braun was charged with 26 errors last season as a third baseman.

Making an impact: CF Mike Cameron wasted little time in getting to work after returning from a 25-game suspension to open the season. Cameron  hit .280 (7 for 25)  in his first six games with the Brewers with three home runs -- including two Sunday against the Astros -- and seven RBI.

Overtime: The Brewers have now played nine extra-inning games and have played at least one such game in seven of their 11 series this season. Milwaukee is 5-4 when playing extra frames. 

Injury report: Little has changed regarding Capuano's progress. He's participation in a rehabilitative throwing program in the hopes of avoiding reconstructive surgery. ... LHP Randy Choate has yet to resume a throwing program after sustaining a broken hand during spring training. ... Doctors will re-examine Gallardo this week to determine if swelling in his knee has subsided enough to schedule surgery to repair his torn ACL.

Quick hits: C Jason Kendall has started 28 of the Brewers' 31 games this season. ... The Brewers' average road-game attendance of 39,423 (through Saturday) is the highest in baseball. ... RHP Jeff Suppan leads the team with four quality starts, and has been the victim of two blown saves this year. ... LHP Brian Shouse has two victories just season, and threw only one pitch in each of those games. ... Brewers starters have won only seven games, with Sheets credited with four. The last starter to record a victory besides Sheets was Manny Parra. That victory came on April 5.

On the farm: RHP Jeff Weaver made his first start for Nashville on Thursday. Weaver, signed as an insurance policy during spring training, allowed four runs on six hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out seven. ... LF Matt LaPorta and 3B Mat Gamel continue to terrorize Southern League pitchers. LaPorta is second among all minor-leaguers with 21 home runs while Gamel is batting .365 with five homers and 20 RBI.

He said it: " I'm just excited to get a chance to play baseball so that you guys can write my name with something else besides that." -- CF Mike Cameron on returning from his 25-game suspension to open the season.

This week: Doesn't anybody work on Monday anymore? The Brewers take a day off today before opening a three-game series at Florida, which is among the leaders in the NL East. They return home Friday for a four-game, wrap-around series against the Cardinals at Miller Park. It's Spring Madness this weekend, so all tickets (under $26) are half-price and hot dogs and Pepsi products are just $1.

NL Central Standings (through Sunday): 1, St. Louis, 20-12; 2, Chicago, 18-13, .5 GB; 3, Milwaukee, 16-15, 3.0 4, Houston, 16-16, 3.5; 5, Pittsburgh, 12-19, 7.0; 6, Cincinnati, 12-20, 7.5.