The Brewers have covered themselves at several positions by trading for Washington utility man Jerry Hairston Jr., a versatile veteran.

The Brewers sent outfielder Erik Komatsu, their minor league player of the year in 2010, to the Nationals for the 35-year-old Hairston Jr.

To make room for Hairston Jr. on the 40-man roster, the Brewers moved reliever Mitch Stetter from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL. A 25-man roster move will be announced later today.

Hairston Jr. has played in 75 games for the Nationals, playing mostly at third base and the outfield. But he has a background of playing shortstop and second base, also, seeing action at short in much of Washington's game Friday night. He has started 40 games at third, 13 in left, six in center and one at second base.

"Jerry is a valuable addition to our ball club with the injures to (backup centerfielder) Carlos Gomez and Rickie Weeks," said general manager Doug Melvin. "He is a versatile player who has experience at every position except catcher and pitcher.

"He also provides an energetic and veteran presence."

Hairston Jr. is a well-traveled veteran with 14 years in the majors. He had a $2 million salary this season, so he is owed about $700,000. He was on the 15-day DL from July 1-18 with a fractured right wrist (hit by pitch by Angels' Dan Haren on June 29 in LA).

Hairston Jr. filled in for two months for injured third baseman Ryan Zimmerman but most recently has seen the bulk of his action in left field and center. In 14 seasons with the Orioles, Cubs, Rangers, Reds, Yankees, Padres and Nationals, he is a .258 career hitter with a .342 on-base percentage and 145 stolen bases.

Beyond being very versatile, the right-handed hitter is known throughout baseball as a great person, solid clubhouse influence and good with the media. In short, just the kind of player you want to add to your team.

The Brewers already added second baseman Felipe Lopez to their club on Friday and started him at second with all-star Rickie Weeks out indefinitely with a severe ankle sprain. I doubt they would send him to Class AAA Nashville but you never know.

If Lopez stays, that means either reserve outfielder Brett Carroll or either of the two utility infielders, Josh Wilson or Craig Counsell, would be removed from the roster.

Komatsu, 23, was playing at Class AA Huntsville, where batted .294 in 93 games with 19 doubles, six homers, 40 RBI and 13 stolen bases. An eighth-round draft pick in 2008 out of Cal-State Fullerton, Komatsu batted .323 with 31 doubles, five homers, 63 RBI and 28 stolen bases for Class A Brevard County in 2010 in earning the Brewers' minor league player of the year award.