In an effort to fill a bullpen void that has existed for several seasons, the Brewers acquired veteran situational left-hander Brian Shouse from Texas in exchange for infielder Enrique Cruz and a player to be named.

Shouse, 37, has spent the last three seasons with the Rangers, appearing in 62, 53 and 64 games, respectively. He has made all 215 of his Major League appearances out of the bullpen, pitching for Pittsburgh (1993), Boston (1998), Kansas City (2002) and Texas (2003-'05).

Shouse went 3-2 with a 5.23 ERA in 64 appearances for the Rangers last season, holding left-handed batters to a .209 batting average (24 for 115). In his career, he has held left-handed batters to a .218 batting average (88 for 403).

Shouse has spent the 2006 season on the Rangers' disabled list with a strained left calf. He has made seven rehab appearances between Class AAA Oklahoma (5 games) and Class AA Frisco (2 games), going 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA (7 innings, 3 earned runs).

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Brewers have transferred right-hander Vince Perkins to the 60-day disabled list. A 25-man roster move will be announced when Shouse reports to Milwaukee. It's possible the team will outright knuckleballer Jared Fernandez to Class AAA Nashville.

Cruz, who was acquired by the Brewers in the Rule 5 draft in 2002, played 24 games for Class AAA Nashville this spring and hit .261 with a homer and 10 RBI.