MILWAUKEE -- Brewers manager Jerry Royster handed out an undisclosed punishment to reliever Mike DeJean on Thursday for their screaming match on the pitcher's mound.

	DeJean

"We are going to handle it privately and internally,'' general manager Dean Taylor said. "It was an unfortunate, emotional incident which occurred in the heat of battle.''

DeJean and Royster stood nose to nose Wednesday night in the ninth inning of the Brewers' 12-8 victory over the Houston Astros. DeJean later apologized.

Taylor indicated the team was not interested in trading DeJean, who took over the closer's role after Curtis Leskanic struggled with injuries.

'''D.J.' is an important part of the bullpen and has been for the last two years,'' Taylor said. "The bullpen has been one of the strengths of our club, and that is not something we are interested in breaking up.''

DeJean is in the first year of a three-year contract worth $3.3 million, with a club option for $2.5 million or a $200,000 buyout in 2004.

On Wednesday night Lance Berkman singled to load the bases with one out and Royster went to pull DeJean. DeJean and Royster began jawing, and it quickly escalated. DeJean eventually walked off, with Royster following for a few steps to shout some parting words.

DeJean is 0-4 for a team that's 35-67 and headed to its 10th straight losing season.