Brewers purchase Gibbons' contract, give him second chance

MILWAUKEE -- Former major leaguer Jay Gibbons is getting a second chance with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Brewers have purchased Gibbons' contract from the Atlantic League's Long Island Ducks and will assign him to their Double-A affiliate in Huntsville, Ala.

The 31-year-old Gibbons was released by the Baltimore Orioles in March after he batted .189 with no home runs and four RBI in 16 games in spring training. He played in only 84 games last season because of surgery on his left shoulder.

Gibbons was suspended for 15 days on Dec. 6 by commissioner Bud Selig following a media report that he received a shipment of the human growth hormone after January 2005, when it was banned by baseball. The suspension was rescinded in April as part of an agreement between players and owners to toughen their anti-drug program with more frequent testing and increased authority for the program's outside administrator.

At the time, club president Andy MacPhail called Gibbons' release a "baseball decision." The move left Baltimore owing Gibbons $11.9 million for the last two seasons of a $21.1 million, four-year contract he agreed to in January 2006.

Gibbons joined Long Island in June and played in 27 games, batting .280 with five home runs and 19 RBI.

"We're excited for Jay," Ducks principal owner Frank Boulton said. "We are glad he's received this opportunity in the Atlantic League. We wish him the best of luck and continued success."