Brewers re-signed 1B Brock Kjeldgaard to a minor league contract.

Kjeldgaard was removed from the Brewers' 40-man roster last summer but stuck around in the organization and has now re-signed. He batted .222/.333/.417 with 24 homers and 70 RBI at the Double-A level in 2013.

Brewers designated 1B Brock Kjeldgaard for assignment.

The Brewers needed to clear space on the 40-man roster after Friday's Zack Greinke trade, and Kjeldgaard happened to be one of the odd men out. He's been working his way back from a torn ligament in his right thumb, and in 48 games across three lower minor league levels, is hitting just .176 with six homers and 24 RBI. At 26-years-old, he's unlikely to generate much interest on waivers, and should continue to serve as organizational depth for the Brewers.

Brewers 1B-OF prospect Brock Kjeldgaard (thumb) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Thursday.

Kjeldgaard missed a little under two months with a torn ligament in his right thumb. The 26-year-old was batting just .192 through 16 games this season at Double-A, but he slugged 24 home runs last year in the minors.

Brewers 1B-OF prospect Brock Kjeldgaard needs surgery on his right thumb to repair a torn ligament and is expected to be sidelined 6-8 weeks.

He was batting just .192 in his first 16 games at Double-Huntsville, so it's unlikely he would have been an option for a promotion anytime soon, anyway. The 26-year-old will be out until at least June.

Brewers purchased the contract of 1B Brock Kjeldgaard from Double-A Huntsville.

The move protects him from the Rule 5 draft. A former 34th-round pick, Kjeldgaard batted .270/.354/.495 with 24 homers and 15 steals between High- and Double-A this season. The 25-year-old isn't viewed as much of a prospect.