Brewers demote Scooter Gennett to Triple-A, recall pitcher Corey Knebel

Scooter Gennett has had a rough 2015 season. He started out batting just .207 (all singles) with a .303 OBP, then hurt himself while showing which required a stint on the disabled list, then hit just .118 since returning from said DL stint.

That finally became enough for the Brewers, who demoted the second baseman to Triple-A Colorado Springs Monday morning.

Gennett, 25, had been trusted to become the full-time second baseman this year with the team letting Rickie Weeks leave in free agency. In 2014, the two players had worked in tandem as platoon partners, a strategy that paid off well for Milwaukee. Though Gennett has always struggled against left-handed pitching, the Brewers took a calculated risk that he would be able to hit well enough to secure an every-day spot.

Turns out, Gennett has not been able to hit lefties still. And he hasn't been able to hit righties, either. Over his last 24 plate appearances, he has just one hit. His season line is now .159/.209/.206.

The move is reminiscent, though, of one the Brewers made a few years ago with their last young second baseman who was going through a slump. Rickie Weeks once had his share of struggles when he first came to the majors and, in 2007 as a 24-year-old, was optioned back to Triple-A at the end of July after he hit .212/.330/.363 on the season. Weeks was back in the majors 10 days later and hit .273/.442/.553 over the rest of they year. Between 2008-2011, Weeks was then one of the best second baseman in MLB when healthy.

With Gennett gone for now, Elian Herrera and Hector Gomez will get a lot more playing time at second base. That also means more playing time for Luis Sardinas, who has been seeing action at shortstop with Jean Segura on the disabled list..

Taking Gennett's roster spot is reliever Corey Knebel, who -- along with Sardinas -- was acquired in the Yovani Gallardo trade. Drafted in 2013, Knebel already made his major league debut last season with the TIgers before being dealt to Texas, then Milwaukee.

In 16 games for Colorado Springs this year, Knebel has a 4.70 ERA but has struck out 22 hitters in 15.1 innings.