Chris Carter signing paying off for Brewers early

The Milwaukee Brewers were betting on a resurgence when they signed former Houston Astros slugger Chris Carter to a one-year deal worth just $2.5 million earlier this year.

After working with Carter as the assistant general manager in Houston, Brewers GM David Stearns had a pretty good idea of what he was getting when he brought the first baseman to Milwaukee.

So far so good.

Carter has seven homers so far this season, good for second amongst non-rookie players who joined new teams this season, and seventh in the national league.

The 29-year-old veteran finished tied for second in the majors with a career-high 37 home runs during his first season with the Astros in 2014, before hitting just 24 last year, as he struggled to stay on the field throughout the summer.

Most HR by players on new teams

Carter also ranks third in the NL with four doubles, and 12th with 18 RBI.

Pitcher Jimmy Nelson (3-2) is set to make his sixth start when the Brewers face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday.

Nelson's 3.16 ERA is tops in the Brewer's starting rotation, and he's been pitching lights out early in games.

The 27-year-old righty has an ERA of just 1.80 during the first four innings, and an ERA of 5.56 after the fourth.

Jimmy Nelson, Innings 1-4 vs. Innings 5+

Statistics provided by STATS, inc.