The Brewers and Capuano worked out a minor-league contract Tuesday laden with incentives should he recover from his second "Tommy John" reconstructive elbow surgery and return to the majors next season. The deal includes a salary of $500,000 should he be added to the major-league roster with a chance to earn another $2,825,000 in performance bonuses.

"Chris is excited to be back with the Brewers," said his agent, Mike Moye. "He looks forward to being back as part of the team at some point of the season."

As it stands now, that is not expected to happen at season's start. The plan is for Capuano to make as much progress as possible during spring training and open the season in the minors to rebuild arm strength.

Capuano, 30, had the second "Tommy John" surgery of his career in May and it typically takes a year or so for a pitcher to return to action. No pitcher undergoing the procedure twice has returned successfully to the majors but the Brewers think Capuano has a chance because of his work ethic and pitching style.

"We know he's a great worker and is dedicated to returning, so hopefully by the latter part of May he is ready to roll," assistant manager Gord Ash said. "This agreement protects yourself and the player from unrealistic expectations. Still, he has the opportunity to make what he would have made otherwise at the major-league level. We'll see what happens."

The Brewers did not tender Capuano a 2009 contract by the deadline Thursday because a team is not allowed to cut a major-league player's salary by more than 20%. The team did not want to commit a guaranteed $3 million to Capuano after he missed the entire '08 season so they began working out the minor-league deal.

Capuano had the same procedure in 2002 while pitching in Arizona's system and bounced back to become an 18-game winner for the Brewers in 2005 and make the NL all-star team in 2006 before fading to an 11-12 record. He went 5-12 with a 5.10 earned run average in 2007, forcing him to battle for his spot in the rotation last spring before suffering the injury.

By signing Capuano to a minor-league deal, the Brewers can send him to Class AAA Nashville without having to place him on waivers.

Yankees silent: The Brewers have not heard back from the New York Yankees regarding the proposed swap of centerfielders Mike Cameron and Melky Cabrera, which also could send lefty Kei Igawa to Milwaukee.

Reports surfaced out of New York that the Yankees were having second thoughts about the deal. Other reports suggested they simply were busy trying to get free-agent pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett through the process of taking physicals, signing contracts and being introduced to the local media.

"The longer the silence, the more we think they're not interested," Ash said. "At some point, we have to move on and do what's best to build our club."

The Brewers were hoping to use some of the money saved on Cameron's $10 million contract, assuming they don't pick up all of Igawa's yearly $4 million salary, to pursue pitching help. They remain interested in free-agent closer Brian Fuentes but would need to clear some payroll space to make a serious offer.

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