PITTSBURGH -- Brewers right-hander Carlos Villanueva found a positive in the news he had been demoted to the bullpen.

"They still feel that I can help the team out," Villanueva said. "If they didn't feel that way, I would be in Nashville right now."

Nashville is home of the Brewers' Triple-A club, and Villanueva was sent there last season during a period of struggles. This time the Brewers simply moved Villanueva to the bullpen and replaced him in the rotation with right-hander Seth McClung. McClung will make his first start on Saturday in Washington, D.C.

Manager Ned Yost delivered the decision to Villanueva on Tuesday evening.

"It's obvious that I'm disappointed because they gave me an opportunity to start," Villanueva said. "This is a results-oriented game. Right now the results are not where either of us want it to be. There's no shame in trying whatever it takes to help the team out."

Villanueva has made it clear he prefers to start, but he did see some success last year in the bullpen. He was not expected to make the Opening Day roster, but found a spot in the bullpen with an excellent Spring Training, then posted a 2.83 first-half ERA before either fatigue or a slump took over.

The Brewers optioned Villanueva to the Minors on Aug. 20, then needed him back in September after Manny Parra broke his thumb on a bunt attempt. Villanueva went 2-2 with a 1.99 ERA in six games, five starts, during the final month, effectively sealing his spot in the 2008 starting rotation.

This season he is 2-5 with a 6.43 ERA in nine starts, prompting Yost to make a move.

"They decided to put me in the 'pen and I accept my assignment," Villanueva said. "Like I said last year and this year, I feel comfortable whether I am starting or in the 'pen. It's not going to bother me. I have the experience from last year so it's not like everything is going to be new.

"It was very early, I only had nine starts and I feel I was good 50 percent of the time, but I understand it from a team point of view and a business point of view, too. All of us has pressures. The GM has pressure, the manager has pressure, and they need to do what they feel is best for the team and I'm not in a position to argue what they thing is best for the team right now. You won't hear me complaining."

For now, Villanueva views it as a temporary move. But he's keeping an open mind.

"It's a tricky thought process," he said. "Am I letting myself down? Am I letting the people who believe in me down? There's a lot of relievers who have been great in this game. You never really know what's going to happen. Maybe my calling is in the bullpen. Right now the team needs me in the bullpen, and that's where I am going to be."