John Axford experienced a little setback Saturday, giving up a solo homer to Andre Ethier in the eighth inning against the Dodgers.

Fortunately, he had a three-run lead at the time. Jim Henderson followed with a hitless ninth for the save. Axford's stumble tonight could well delay any plans to return him to the closer's role in the near future.

When asked Wednesday what it would take for John Axford to get his closer job back, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke replied, "probably not much."

Axford has allowed two hits, walked none and struck out six in 5 1/3 scoreless innings over his last six appearances. Interim closer Jim Henderson has also pitched well, and Roenicke isn't ready to make a move just yet, but he could soon if Axford's turnaround continues. "I think right now, we're not going to flip 'Ax' back in the closer's role," said Roenicke. "I think Henderson is doing a nice job. But 'Ax,' the way he threw (Tuesday), he could win every ball game he went in if he throws that way. I was really impressed with him."

John Axford worked a hitless eighth inning Tuesday for his fourth hold in his last five appearances.

Since taking his second loss on April 9, Axford has allowed two hits, walked none and struck out six in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. The Brewers probably won't return him to the closer's role right away, but it's unlikely that they've given up on him as a ninth-inning guy.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel expects John Axford to be removed as the Brewers' closer.

There still isn't anything official, but manager Ron Roenicke was noncommittal when asked if Axford would be used in a save situation against the Cubs. Axford has been an unmitigated disaster this season and can no longer be trusted in the closer role. Jim Henderson is the leading candidate to replace Axford and should be added in fantasy leagues where he's still available.

John Axford gave up a game winning two-run homer in the 11th inning in Sunday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

It wasn't a save situation, but Axford continues to be an absolute disaster this season and has now given up four home runs in just three appearances. He allowed a leadoff double to Cliff Pennington before serving up a massive two-run shot to Eric Hinske to get the loss. The Brewers don't plan to make any changes in the closer role yet, but now is the time to stash Jim Herderson in fantasy leagues.

John Axford has a 21.60 ERA and 3.60 WHIP through his first 1 2/3 innings this season.

Axford entered Wednesday's game in the top of the ninth inning tasked with keeping the Rockies within a run, and he immediately proceeded to let the visitors break the game open. Axford allowed home runs to Michael Cuddyer and Dexter Fowler before being pulled, giving him three bombs allowed in two games. Home runs also plagued Axford in his down 2012, as he allowed 1.3 every nine innings. The Brewers don't have many obvious options to replace their 30-year-old closer, but the first crack will probably go to Jim Henderson. Pick up Henderson and keep a close eye on the situation in the coming days.

John Axford blew his first save chance of the season Monday after giving up a solo home run to Dexter Fowler.

It was a tough one to take, as Axford sat down Chris Nelson and Eric Young, Jr. swinging before Fowler tied it up with two outs. "The Ax Man" led the majors with nine blown saves last season, so this isn't what fantasy owners want to see, but the Brewers figure to stick with him for a while since they don't have a quality alternative in-house.

Brewers avoided arbitration with RHP John Axford by agreeing to a one-year, $5 million contract.

He can earn more through incentives. Axford qualified for Super 2 status after serving as the Brewers' closer for the last two and a half years. Though he struggled with a 4.67 ERA in 2012, he'll be the ninth inning man again in 2013 and has a pretty good shot at a bounce-back season.

John Axford rebounded nicely from Friday's disaster, retiring all three hitters he faced, including a pair of strikeouts, to earn his 21st save of the season.

Axford still owns a frightening 5.26 ERA and 1.53 WHIP on the season, so there's no guarantee that he'll settle back into the job over the remainder of the season. He'll likely be kept on a short leash with Kameron Loe and Jim Henderson still lurking in case of a potential blow-up.

John Axford struck out the side in the ninth Wednesday for his 20th save against the Cubs.

It was a tougher assignment that Tuesday, when he got one out in a 5-2 game for his 19th save. Axford did allow a single today, but he managed to protect a one-run lead. He's due to get most of Milwaukee's save chances going forward.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke indicated after Tuesday's game that John Axford has been reinstated as the team's closer.

Axford got the final out in Tuesday's win over the Cubs after Manny Parra and Jim Henderson combined to allow two runs. "This is a guy we would obviously like to be in that closer role," Roenicke said about Axford. "And the reason we took him out of it is to try and do what's best for him to get back into that role. I think when he was out of it, I think he pitched well enough to allow us the confidence that we think we can put him back in there now." Axford has a 4.85 ERA and 12/6 K/BB ratio over 13 innings since he was originally pulled from the role in mid-July, so he's not exactly back to top form, but he's the pitcher to own in this bullpen right now in fantasy leagues.

John Axford was called upon after Manny Parra and Jim Henderson allowed a pair of runs in the ninth inning Tuesday and retired the only hitter he faced for his 19th save.

Both of the runs in the inning were charged to Parra. Henderson came on with two on and one out, surrendering an RBI single to Alfonso Soriano and an RBI bounce out before giving way to Axford to close it out. With as big of a mess as the Brewers' bullpen is right now, it's anyone's guess who gets the call the next time a save opportunity arises. But Axford is probably the best bet.

John Axford suffered yet another blown save, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk in just one-third of an inning in Friday's loss to the Astros.

Axford entered with a 3-2 lead and promptly walked the leadoff hitter. After pinch-runner Tyler Greene stole second base, he advanced to third on a wild pitch. Steven Pearce then singled home the tying run, took second on an error, and came around to score himself on an RBI single from Brian Bogusevic. With another Axford implosion, it looks as if Jim Henderson, who has converted both of his save chances, will now get a long look in the closer's role.

John Axford recorded his first save since being removed from the closer's role in Monday's win over the Astros.

It wasn't easy. He was the third reliever to appear in the inning, as Livan Hernandez and Kameron Loe allowed four base runners and two runs before Axford came in. He then allowed a sac fly and hit a batter before retiring J.D. Martinez on a bang-bang play at first base. Don't be fooled into thinking that this means Axford has his old job back, as the Brewers are still expected to use a committee approach.

The Brewers have fired bullpen coach Stan Kyles.

Kyles takes the fall for a Milwaukee relief corps that is 15-26 with a 4.80 ERA. "It is important that we make every effort to try to improve our bullpen performance," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said in a statement. "While Stan is not solely responsible, I felt that this change was the first step and was necessary."

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke announced Thursday that he plans to use a closer-by-committee for now.

Francisco Rodriguez has handled the closer role recently, but he has blown each of his last two save opportunities while allowing six runs on five hits and four walks over just 1 1/3 innings. Roenicke hasn't ruled out using anyone for future save chances, even Livan Hernandez, but we still think Axford will get his job back before long.

John Axford pitched scoreless eighth and ninth innings, retiring all six batters he faced, Wednesday against the Phillies.

Axford was in line for the win until Francisco Rodriguez blew a save in the 10th. Since Axford is again looking sharp, expect him to resume closing for the Brewers. Obviously, he needs to be picked up in any leagues in which he was dropped.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said he's not ready to give the closer job back to John Axford despite Francisco Rodriguez's struggles.

"I don't want to just look at one side of it. I want to look at what's best for Ax to get him back in that role," Roenicke said. "When we get Ax to where we think he's back to where he was, we'll slide him back in that role. So it really doesn't necessarily depend on what's going on with Frankie." The manager did add that he's pleased with the way Axford has looked since being demoted and said "we're getting there" in regards to his eventual return to his old role.

The Brewers plan on John Axford regaining his closer job as soon as possible.

"The reason you turn it over is because of the impatience of people - the media, the fans, everybody else," said general manager Doug Melvin. "He's still got the best arm on the club." Francisco Rodriguez has converted both save chances since assuming the closer role, though he's done so in very shaky fashion. It's possible K-Rod could be dealt this month.

After John Axford blew his sixth save of the season on Monday night, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke indicated that he is considering other options for the closer role.

Roenicke has stuck with the struggling Axford until now, but he didn't offer a vote of confidence following Monday's game. "We talk about it all the time," said Roenicke. "We talked about it just now and we will again tomorrow." High-priced set-up man Francisco Rodriguez would be the obvious replacement for Axford. And while K-Rod has been pretty shaky at times this season, using him in the closer role could allow the Brewers to showcase him leading up to the trade deadline. He's worth stashing away in fantasy leagues if you're in the mood to speculate.