Brewers Dilute Jones’ Role

Doug Jones has lost his role as the Milwaukee Brewers’ full-time closer. He had surrendered ninth-inning homers to erase one-run leads in the previous two games and gave up a two-run homer to Gregg Zaun in the eighth inning of the Brewers’ 12-4 loss to Florida on Saturday night.

Jones, 40, who has given up 10 homers and blown seven save opportunities, now will share closing duties with right-hander Bob Wickman and left-hander Mike Myers, Manager Phil Garner said.

“I’m going try to get Jones some more work, which means I may use him a little earlier in the game and try to work on matchups and things,” Garner said.

Jones’ 289 career saves are 10th-best in major league history, and he ranks fifth among active closers. After saving a club-record 36 games in 38 chances last year, Jones signed a two-year deal that pays him $2.5 million this season.

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The Houston Astros put rookie outfielder Richard Hidalgo on the 15-day disabled list because of a separated right shoulder. Hidalgo was injured in the eighth inning of Friday’s 7-6 win at Colorado when he crashed into the wall and fell trying to make a leaping catch on Larry Walker’s grand slam to center field. The Astros recalled outfielder Ray Montgomery from triple-A New Orleans.