Heads turned when the Brewers decided to carry 13 pitchers on the roster recently. Imagine the surprise when the team decided to add a 14th to the squad.

There were many reasons for the expanded bullpen, which has left manager Ned Yost with just three position players on the bench for the time being.

First of all, a move had to be made when Yovani Gallardo was activated from the disabled list before his Sunday start against the Reds. To make room for the right-hander on the 25-man roster, the Brewers sent utility man Joe Dillon to Class AAA Nashville.

Earlier in the week, the Brewers sent Hernan Iribarren down to the Sounds and brought up Mitch Stetter. That move was to help give left-handed specialist Brian Shouse a bit of a reprieve. He's pitched in half of the team's games this season and, while effective (1-0, 1.42 ERA), Yost wants to make sure he doesn't burn Shouse out in April and Stetter provides a left-handed alternative that can also pitch extended innings (he threw two scoreless Sunday against the Reds).

The severity of Ben Sheets' injury, who left Saturday's game early with arm soreness, also puts some pressure on the bullpen. Gallardo's start on Sunday came on Bush's regular day in the rotation. If Sheets should have to miss his next start (Wednesday vs. Philadelphia), Bush would get the nod.

Dillon, who had just two hits in 10 at-bats this season, will probably be recalled should Sheets' arm troubles prove to be nothing more than an isolated incident. His ability to play both in the infield or outfield makes him a valuable asset on the Brewers' bench.

The lack of available bodies played a key role in Sunday's game. Yost had to let Gallardo bat for himself in the eighth inning of a tie game because his only other options were Craig Counsell, an injured Gabe Kapler and backup catcher Mike Rivera.

First impressions: Gallardo wasted little time picking up where he left off during his impressive rookie season. The right-hander, in his first start of the season, allowed just one run -- a homer by Edwin Encarnacion -- on four hits in seven innings of work Sunday at Cincinnati.

The weather was hardly ideal for a young pitcher making his first start after an injury. Rain plagued the afternoon making for a slick time on the field.

"He pitched great in tough conditions," Yost said. "It was slick, and tough out there at times. He commands the baseball. For the most part, it was a great first start for him."

He walked Corey Patterson to open the game before retiring the next 11 batters he faced.

"It kind of felt like my (Major League) debut all over again," Gallardo said afterwards.

Yost wasn't worried about overworking his young pitcher, considering Gallardo threw 106 pitches in his final rehab start with Nashville. On Sunday, Gallardo threw 112 pitches; 68 for strikes.

Decisions looming: No matter what happens, the Brewers will have to make some tough decisions in the next couple weeks. OF Tony Gwynn Jr. is eligible to come off the DL and could be summoned to alleviate the bench problems. Outfielder Mike Cameron is seven games away from completing his 25-game suspension, and the team will have to make a move to add him to the roster. Starters Manny Parra, Bush or Carlos Villanueva -- who have all struggled at times -- could also be candidates for a trip to Nashville, especially now that Gallardo is back.

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