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      Steve Drumwright

       

      Easton McGee was the casualty when the Milwaukee Brewers made a last-minute trade for fellow right-handed reliever Jake Woodford with the Tampa Bay Rays. Woodford took the last bullpen spot on the Crew's Opening Day roster, with McGee sent to Triple-A Nashville.

      Now, McGee gets to join Woodford in the Brewers' bullpen. The Brewers called up McGee from Nashville to fill the spot vacated by left-handed starter Shane Drohan, who was optioned Thursday to Triple-A after making his MLB debut Wednesday.

      McGee made nine appearances for the Crew in 2025, with a 3.27 FIP (5.52 ERA), striking out 13 and walking five in 14⅔ innings. In four appearances for Nashville this year, McGee has a 9.53 ERA with three walks and five strikeouts in 5⅔ innings.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      Emotion has gotten the best of Milwaukee Brewers reliever Abner Uribe before. Now, he is paying a small price for a move he made following an inning-ending strikeout.

      Uribe was suspended by MLB for one game for his wrestling-style crotch-grabbing move toward the St. Louis Cardinals' dugout following Tuesday's 6-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Uribe made the gesture following his strikeout of Alec Burleson. Uribe is appealing the penalty, which allows him to play until it is heard by MLB.

      Following the game, Uribe, after a dugout scolding by Brewers manager Pat Murphy, apologized to the team, but leveled accusations at Cardinals manager Oli Marmol. Marmol and the Brewers addressed further issues the next day that apparently led to Uribe's action.

      Uribe has alternated with right-hander Trevor Megill as the Brewers' closer and eighth-inning guy. Uribe has appeared in 21 games, with a 4.19 ERA over 19⅓ innings, walking eight and striking out 21. He has converted five of seven save opportunities, while Megill has six saves in seven chances.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      A recent addition to the Milwaukee Brewers' bullpen has been sidelined for at least two weeks.

      Right-handed reliever Joel Kuhnel was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday by the Brewers due to a right shoulder impingement. Right-handed reliever Craig Yoho was called up from Triple-A Nashville. Also, right-handed starter Coleman Crow, on the 15-day IL with a strained right forearm flexor, began a rehab assignment at Nashville on Saturday.

      Kuhnel, acquired June 6 from the A's after he was designated for assignment, has appeared in 10 games for the Brewers and posted a 6.52 ERA over 9⅔ innings. He has walked six and struck out eight while allowing a .317 opponent batting average, including four home runs. Kuhnel's last game was Thursday in the series finale against the Cincinnati Reds in which he gave up three runs (two earned) on one hit and two walks with a strikeout in one inning.

      Yoho is up with the Crew for the third time this year. He has pitched six innings over five games, giving up four runs on five hits, including two homers, with three walks and eight strikeouts for 6.00 ERA.

       

      Steve Drumwright

      With the full squad having reported to Phoenix for spring training, it was time for manager Pat Murphy to set the tone for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2026. He did so in a speech to his players, some of which was provided via the team's social media channels.

      It was Murph at his finest. Leaning into what made the Crew so good in a 2025 that saw the team post the best record in MLB at 97-65, win their third straight NL Central title and advance to the NL Championship Series, where they were swept by the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

      Among Murphy's nuggets:

      "We found out what matters is who's in this room."

      "We're about people, we're about team."

      "We don't worry about what anybody thinks. (If) we stick to our standard, then you'll have another incredible season. ... And don't be shocked."

      But enough writing, listen to how Murphy delivered his words:

       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

      A post shared by Milwaukee Brewers (@brewers)

      Steve Drumwright

      Shane Drohan's first stint in MLB didn't figure to be a long one—and it wasn't.

      The Milwaukee Brewers' left-handed starter, who made his MLB debut Wednesday, was sent back to Triple-A Nashville, MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reported Thursday. The Crew will have to make a corresponding move before opening this weekend's series vs. the Washington Nationals on Friday.

      Drohan's debut did not go well. Facing the Boston Red Sox, the team that traded him to the Brewers in the Caleb Durbin deal this spring, at Fenway Park, Dohan lasted just 2⅔ innings, walking four and allowing three runs and three hits while striking out two. Drohan made the spot start due to the doubleheader Saturday against the Kansas City Royals following Friday's rainout.

      Right-hander Chad Patrick was originally scheduled to start Wednesday, but that would have come on short rest. Patrick, who started the opener of the doubleheader, will start Friday against Nationals right-hander Jake Irvin.

      As for possible call-ups, right-hander Craig Yoho could be a candidate. Yoho is on the 15-day injured list with a strained right calf and is eligible to be activated. His stay on the IL, which began March 22, was projected to be a short one.

      Steve Drumwright

       

       

      It won't be a bullpen day after all.

      Left-handed starter Robert Gasser was called up Sunday by the Milwaukee Brewers from Triple-A Nashville and will start the series finale against the Minnesota Twins. Right-hander Peter Strzelecki was designated for assignment, leaving the Crew's 40-man roster at 39.

      Gasser will be making his first appearance with the Brewers this season. He dealt with arm soreness during spring training, which set him back slightly, and then into the regular season at Triple-A after not making the Opening Day roster.

      But Gasser has now made six starts and pitched 21⅔ innings at Nashville, putting up a 3.74 ERA with eight walks and 32 strikeouts. He made two abbreviated starts for the Brewers at the end of the 2025 season in his comeback from Tommy John surgery and was on the postseason roster.

      Strzelecki was called up Saturday when right-hander Coleman Crow was optioned back to Triple-A following Friday's spot start. Strzelecki didn't pitch in Saturday's game.

       

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      As the Milwaukee Brewers look for a way to limit the regular-season innings from their young starting rotation, that creates opportunities and good stories.

      One of those is left-handed starter Thomas Pannone, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Nashville and will start for the Brewers in Wednesday's series finale against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Right-hander Garrett Stallings was optioned to Nashville. The Brewers had two openings on the 40-man roster, so a move there was not necessary. Pannone is back in MLB since a one-game stint in 2023 with the Brewers. Before that, he made 49 appearances over the 2018-19 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.

      Also, left-handed reliever DL Hall's rehab assignment was moved from Triple-A to High-A Wisconsin. Hall is making his way back from a left pectoral strain.

      The 32-year-old Pannone missed all of the 2025 season after sustaining a flexor tendon injury in his left forearm in spring training with the Brewers. He has posted a 4.13 ERA in 16 games (all but one a start), walking 22 and striking out 57 in 72 innings.

      Left-hander Shane Drohan, Wednesday's scheduled starter, has earned a regular spot in the rotation, but has also pitched 95⅔ innings between Triple-A and the Brewers, already far more than the 54 innings he threw in 2025 as he came back from shoulder surgery and forearm inflammation.

      Stallings, in his second stay with the Crew this year, pitched two innings in Monday's 3-0 loss to the Giants.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The reward for saving the rest of the bullpen Saturday? A one-way ticket to Nashville.

      The Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday optioned right-hander Carlos Rodriguez to Triple-A Nashville and activated left-handed reliever Rob Zastryzny from the 60-day injured list. Zastryzny has been on the IL since the end of spring training with a strained left shoulder. Left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa was transferred to the 60-day IL to make room for Zastryzny on the 40-man roster. Zerpa is out for the season after having Tommy John surgery a few weeks ago.

      Rodriguez pitched 3⅓ innings in Saturday's 9-2 loss to the Houston Astros, coming within an out of finishing the game. He did allow three runs. Rodriguez has been much better for the Brewers this season, with two of his previous three bullpen appearances being shutout efforts.

      Zastryzny gives the Brewers four left-handers in the bullpen, joining Aaron Ashby, DL Hall and Shane Drohan. Zastryzny is coming off a 2025 in which he posted a 2.45 ERA in 26 appearances over 22 innings. He walked 10 and struck out 20.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The Milwaukee Brewers have their reliable lefty back in the bullpen.

      Left-handed reliever Jared Koenig was activated off the 15-day injured list Friday by the Brewers, who optioned right-handed reliever Craig Yoho to Triple-A Nashville.

      Koenig had been out since April 6 with a sprained left elbow. He had made just three appearances before being injured, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 2⅓ innings. Koenig appeared in 11 games on his rehab assignment, pitching 9⅔ innings.

      Yoho, once considered a big-time relief prospect, has wavered at the MLB level. In two call-ups this year, Yoho appeared in five games, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks with eight strikeouts in six innings for a 6.00 ERA. He made his MLB debut last season, appearing in eight games and posting a 7.27 ERA in 8⅔ innings with nine walks and seven punchouts.

       

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      Despite a bout of wildness in his last MLB start, the Milwaukee Brewers are giving Robert Gasser another shot.

      The Brewers on Wednesday called up the left-hander from Triple-A Nashville to start Wednesday's game against the San Francisco Giants. To make room on the 26-man roster, the Brewers placed left-handed reliever Rob Zastryzny on the 15-day injured list with a strained left trapezius.

      Gasser has made two starts for the Brewers this season, the last one coming May 23 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gasser walked four and gave up four runs in 4⅓ innings in an 11-3 loss. He was sent down the next day. Gasser walked two in four innings of his May 17 start vs. the Minnesota Twins, a 5-4 loss.

      Zastryzny had just returned Sunday from the injured list, where he had been since spring training due to a strained left shoulder. While Zastryzny didn't appear in any of the three games he was on the roster for, he is now dealing with another shoulder-related injury.

      The Brewers also have announced that right-hander Coleman Crow will start Thursday's finale against the Giants.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The Milwaukee Brewers are losing a key member of their bullpen.

      Left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left forearm tightness. Left-handed reliever Brian Fitzpatrick had his contract selected from Triple-A Nashville and will be making his MLB debut. The Brewers had an open spot following outfielder Luis Matos being designated for assignment.

       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

      A post shared by Milwaukee Brewers (@brewers)

      Following a strong performance for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, Zerpa emerged as another late-inning weapon out of the Brewers' bullpen. He started the season with four scoreless outings, but has allowed runs in six of his last eight appearances for a 6.39 ERA in 12 games. In his most recent outing, Saturday vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates, he allowed three runs (one earned) on one hit and a walk with a strikeout in two-thirds of an inning. It was the third consecutive outing Zerpa allowed a run.

      Fitzpatrick was a 10th-round selection by the Brewers in the 2022 draft out of Rutgers. In 10 appearances at Nashville this year, Fitzpatrick has not allowed a run in 10⅓ innings, with two walks and 11 strikeouts. In his five minor-league seasons, Fitzpatrick has appeared in 81 games, including 15 starts, and posted a 3.49 ERA with 3.6 walks and 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

      The Brewers also formally sent outfielder Jackson Chourio and first baseman Andrew Vaughn to Nashville to begin their rehab assignments. Also, Matos went unclaimed on waivers and was outrighted to Nashville.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      Walks will get you a ticket back to the minors.

      The Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday optioned left-handed starter Robert Gasser back to Triple-A Nashville and called up right-hander Carlos Rodriguez. Gasser walked four in 4⅓ innings in an 11-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.

      In fact, Gasser's line was littered with fours: 4⅓ IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 4 K. This was his second start since being called up May 17, when he started against the Minnesota Twins. In that game, Gasser went four innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits, two walks and three hit batters while striking out three.

      Rodriguez is up for the second time. He made two relief appearances in April, allowing one run (a homer) in four innings on five hits with no walks and five strikeouts.

      With Gasser not in the rotation, the Brewers will need a starter, likely to come next weekend against the Houston Astros. Right-hander Coleman Crow is a likely choice.

       

      Steve Drumwright

      Left-hander Angel Zerpa won't be pitching again for the Milwaukee Brewers until 2027.

      The reliever will undergo Tommy John surgery on his left elbow Monday. Tommy John surgery is typically a 12- to 15-month recovery, making an early target for Zerpa's return the All-Star break of next season.

      Angel Zerpa is having left UCL reconstruction surgery with Dr. Keith Meister next week. He will be out until spring/summer 2027, the Brewers anticipate.

      — Curt Hogg (@cyrthogg.bsky.social) May 5, 2026 at 10:33 AM

      Zerpa was a big offseason acquisition, coming over in a trade from the Kansas City Royals for outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed reliever Nick Mears. Zerpa showed out in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela, pitching 5⅓ scoreless innings over six appearances, allowing three hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.

      That performance raised expectations going into his first season with the Brewers as another potential late-inning weapon. Zerpa didn't allow a run in his first four appearances covering 4⅔ innings, walking two and striking out three. He then allowed runs in three straight and six of his next eight before hitting the 15-day injured list last week.

      Zerpa has a 5.35 FIP (6.39 ERA) in those 12 games with 10.9% walk and 14.5% strikeout rates, both worse than his career numbers (7.2% and 19.4%).

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

       

      The Milwaukee Brewers will be without their starting right fielder for a while.

      Sal Frelick was put on the 10-day injured list Saturday by the Brewers due to a strained right (throwing) shoulder. Outfielder Blake Perkins was called up from Triple-A Nashville.

      Frelick was injured during Friday's 2-1 victory over the Miami Marlins. In the top of the fourth inning, Frelick made a throw from right field toward second base on a double by Otto Lopez that took several bounces to get there, not a throw you would expect from the 2024 Gold Glove winner. Manager Pat Murphy said after the game that Frelick had an issue with the should earlier in the season.

      He remained in on defense, but was replaced the next inning by rookie Luis Lara.

      Frelick has struggled offensively this season after being in contention for a batting title at the end of last year. He currently has a slash line of .236/.301/.330 with four homers and 34 RBIs, with six steals. Last season's slash line was .288/.351/.405.

      Perkins is a terrific defender, but has not been able to get going offensively, which led to him not originally making the Opening Day roster. He has only been called up due to injuries, with this being the third time. Perkins has a .157/.250/.258 slash line in 53 games with one homer and 11 RBIs.

       

       

      Steve Drumwright

      For Milwaukee Brewers fans planning on giving Freddy Peralta one last hurrah at American Family Field, circle the dates July 20-22 on your calendar.

      Those three days are the first time the Brewers will face the New York Mets in the 2026 season, and it happens at home. Peralta was traded Wednesday by the Brewers to the Mets along with right-handed starter Tobias Myers for two prospects, infielder-outfielder Jett Williams and right-handed starter Brandon Sproat.

      Peralta is very likely to pitch in that series and could get some help from the Mets. The July 20-22 series is the second one following the All-Star break. The Mets face the Philadelphia Phillies coming out of the break, with a game on July 16, a day off, then July 18-19 at Citizens Bank Park. When Peralta pitches would depend on whether he makes the All-Star Game. Peralta is a two-time All-Star, including in 2025.

      Let's say that Peralta makes the All-Star Game with the Mets. That would push his first start to at least Saturday, July 18, after the break. Considering teams have the chance to reset their rotations at the break, Peralta is likely to be consulted as to whether he wants to pitch in the series vs. the Brewers, which is a Monday-Wednesday affair. The Mets would need to choose not to pitch Peralta against the two-time defending NL East champion Phillies in order to save him for a sentimental start against the Brewers. That would likely mean Peralta would start the Monday, July 20 game.

      Now, if Peralta doesn't make the All-Star Game but is still pitching well, he could start the Mets' first game out of the break on Thursday, July 16. That would set Peralta up to start the finale of the three-game series at American Family Field on Wednesday, July 22, an afternoon getaway game.

      However it plays out, the Brewers are likely to have an emotional tribute video ready for Peralta for the opening game of the series as he makes his return to Milwaukee for the first time since the trade. The Brewers don't play in New York until a midweek series Aug. 25-27. Coincidentally, the Brewers did not have a Peralta-themed promotional item (bobblehead, etc.) scheduled for the upcoming season.

      Steve Drumwright

       

      While the Milwaukee Brewers await a more definitive diagnosis, they are losing a key outfielder.

      Brandon Lockridge was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right knee laceration and contusion, while fellow outfielder Blake Perkins was promoted from Triple-A Nashville. Lockridge sustained a deep laceration to his right knee during Friday's game when he slid while trying to catch a foul ball and his knee slammed into the cement wall just underneath the protective padding.

      When asked about Lockridge's status, Brewers manager Pat Murphy said: "It’s going to be a while."

      The swelling in Lockridge's knee must subside before he can undergo an MRI exam to determine the extent of the injury. An X-ray did not reveal any breaks, but Murphy said the laceration went down to the bone.

      Since coming over at last year's trade deadline from the San Diego Padres for left-hander Nestor Cortes and shortstop Jorge Quintana, Lockridge has fit right into the Brewers' style and quickly made himself a fan favorite with his speed and aggressive pursuit of foul balls. Only this time, this one cost him.

      In 28 games this year, Lockridge has a slash line of .294/.368/.341 with no homers, 12 RBIs and five stolen bases. He made the Opening Day roster over Perkins, who had been the starting center fielder most of the second half of 2025 after returning from an injury.

      Perkins was sent down this week following the return of superstar outfielder Jackson Chourio from his fractured hand. Perkins came up when Chourio went on the IL the morning of Opening Day. While a standout defender, Perkins has struggled mightily at the plate with a .109/.212/.174 slash line.

       

      Jason Wang

      With the Timber Rattlers' season now over, Jesus Made will be making his way to Double-A Biloxi to help with their playoff run starting next week. Of course, this is more than a throwaway move and signals yet another major milestone for the 18-year-old.

      Made needed just 123 plate appearances with High-A Wisconsin to prove that he was ready for a step up in competition. Since being promoted in August, he has slashed .343/.415/.500 for a wRC+ of 157. Other than his walk rate, nearly every aspect of his offensive profile was an improvement from what he did with Single-A Carolina earlier in the year. 

      While in High-A, his top-notch bat-to-ball were on full display as he had a swinging strike percentage of just 9.2% and a contact rate of 78.9%. His walk rate did dip slightly but was still at a respectable 10.6% while his strikeout rate of 17.9% was also a slight improvement over his performance in Single-A. 

      We likely won't get a very meaningful sample of what he can do in Double-A given the small amount of remaining games but it could give fans a glimpse of what's to come starting next year. He's seemingly ahead of what's already a pretty accelerated schedule with an ETA of 2028 but could be on the doorstep of the big leagues as soon as next year. 

      Spencer Michaelis

      Sean Episcope is from the Chicago area originally, but has spent his college career at Princeton. At 6'0, he throws from a higher slot than you would expect. After undergoing Tommy John Surgery his senior year of high school, he is dealing with another elbow injury currently that will likely keep him out for a while.

      MLB Pipeline has Episcope ranked 215th overall, and their write-up discusses how he, "made 10 uneven starts as a freshman with the Tigers in 2024, but came out of the gate this year like gangbusters, with 26 strikeouts and just four walks in 20 innings, including a nine-strikeout, five-inning start at Wake Forest that opened a lot of eyes. But he came out of his fourth start with his biceps tingling, and it was eventually determined that he required another procedure, getting internal brace surgery in May."

      They then dive into his interesting pitch mix, saying, "Episcope does have the pitch mix to potentially start when healthy. He was topping out at 97 mph with his fastball and averaging a touch over 94, while maintaining that velocity throughout his starts before he got shut down. He has two legitimate breaking balls, with a mid-80s gyro-like slider and more of a 12-to-6 power curve up to 82 mph that registered elite-level spin rates north of 3,000 rpm. Combined, the two breakers elicited a 60-percent miss rate over his four starts, according to Synergy. Episcope did an excellent job filling up the strike zone this spring, but given the lack of history on the mound and the multiple elbow procedures, it's a little more difficult to pinpoint where he belongs in a Draft class. Some thought he could go as high as the second round as a future starter had his success continued, while others see his size and injuries and see a reliever profile."

      The Brewers' next selection will come in the sixth round, 185th overall.

      Spencer Michaelis

      Joshua Flores hails from the same high school as 2023 pick Josh Adamczewski and 2024 pick Griffin Tobias, making it three years in a row the Brewers went to the well at Lake Central High School in Indiana.

      MLB Pipeline has Flores ranked 243rd overall, and wrote, "Indiana's high school pitching crop runs deeper than usual this year, and Flores has the loudest stuff of the group. He features one of the best curveballs in the national prep class, though he also averaged a walk per inning as a senior. He comes with a high ceiling but also a good deal of reliever risk. Flores' hammer curveball ranges from 82-85 mph with downer break, grading as a well above-average pitch at times but also moving so much he has difficulty landing it in the zone. He has better command of a tighter slider with similar velocity. Hitters can't really guard against his breaking balls because his fastball sits at 92-95 mph and touches 97 with some armside run and carry. Flores barely utilizes his mid-80s changeup, which flashes some interesting tumble. The Kentucky recruit has a long arm action and effort in his delivery, which hampers his ability to throw strikes, let alone locate his offerings with much precision. He'll be an intriguing project for a team that believes in its ability to develop pitchers."

      The Brewers' next selection will be 155th overall, in the fifth round.

      Steve Drumwright

      Outfielder Jackson Chourio will get ready for his third season in a Milwaukee Brewers uniform by playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. The Brewers made what had seemed a likely decision official via social media Thursday.

      This will be Chourio's first WBC. Rosters for all WBC teams are due February 3, which is Tuesday.

      Venezuela will be one of the teams to watch in this year's tournament. In 2023, Venezuela went 4-0 in pool play before being knocked off by the U.S. 9-7 in the quarterfinals. The U.S. went on to lose to Japan 3-2 in the championship game.

      Chourio was announced to Venezuela's roster along with Ronald Acuna Jr., Maikel Garcia, and Wilyer Abreu. The team captain is Salvador Perez. Whether Brewers catcher William Contreras will be named to the roster is unknown, especially since Perez is a catcher, too, as well as the team captain.

      No other Brewers are known to have made a WBC roster at this point. Sal Frelick is a strong candidate to play again for Italy.

      Harold Hutchison

      Devin Williams is slated to hit free agency after the 2025 season. Williams struggled with the Yankees, posting a 4.79 ERA – nearly three full runs over his career record with Milwaukee – and being demoted from the closer’s role, with the Bronx Bombers turning to David Bednar and Luke Weaver to fill the slot.

      That being said, with the Brewers showing they can give pitchers new life (Jose Quintana being the latest example), it may behoove them to see if Williams would like to return. They’ve done this before with a closer – see Jeremy Jeffress, who ended up performing well for the Crew after having a rough time of it elsewhere.

      Adding Williams back for at least 2026 could also be a good thing for Craig Yoho, who struggled in some of his appearances with Milwaukee in 2025. Yoho could stick in Triple-A Nashville for some more seasoning and adjustments – while also putting off further additions to his service time – and it could also help manage his innings.

      Given Pat Murphy’s tendency to lean heavily on reliable arms, having Williams, who had an excellent track record with the Crew, may be a good way to avoid overuse of Abner Uribe, Jared Koenig, Trevor Megill, Grant Anderson, and Nick Mears as well as giving Yoho the chance to develop.

      As for Williams, a return to the Ueck would be a chance to show that 2025 is an aberration. A one-year deal (maybe with a mutual option for 2027) could be just the thing to set him up for a better free-agent deal.

      The Brewers need arms Pat Murphy can trust. Williams needs a chance to bounce back from an off year. A 2026 reunion would be a potential win-win for both parties.

      Brock Beauchamp

      I'll preface this by saying I'm a sucker for powder blue uniforms. As a child of the 1980s when it felt like every team had one, it evokes nostalgia for a time when baseball was stupid, played on concrete, and everyone was doing something illegal.

      To my knowledge, the Brewers have never used "Milwaukee" on a powder blue jersey, making these likely to be road uniforms. The block font is a throwback, but only to jerseys that read "Brewers" in the 1970s and 1980s. Milwaukee was typically written in a script font, not dissimilar to the current dark blue jerseys worn on the road.

      What are your thoughts on these new jerseys? Yay or nay?

      Steve Drumwright

       

      The balky right shoulder has landed Brandon Woodruff back on the injured list.

      The Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday placed the veteran right-handed starter on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation and called up left-handed reliever Drew Rom from Triple-A Nashville.

      Woodruff was removed from Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks with two outs in the fourth inning after an outing in which his velocity was down across the board. His four-seamer was down 7 mph and his changeup 6 mph. This was his third start since coming back from the same ailment, which sidelined the big right-hander for six weeks. Woodruff did strike out six, including the final three batters he faced, vs. the D'backs.

      The 33-year-old underwent surgery in September 2023, which forced him to miss all of 2024 and, combined with other injuries, the first three months of 2025. He returned to be a force in the Crew's rotation over 12 starts, but the shoulder acted up again near the end of the regular season, sidelining him for the postseason. He made six starts to begin this season before going on the IL on May 1.

      Rom is up for the second time with the Brewers this year. He has appeared in four games and 5⅓ innings, allowing two runs on six hits and four walks with 10 strikeouts for a 3.38 ERA.

       

      Steve Drumwright

       

      Following his signing a long-term contract extension last month, Luis Lara has been called up to make his MLB debut.

      The Brewers on Tuesday promoted Lara, Brewer Fanatic's No. 4 prospect, from Triple-A Nashville and sent center fielder Blake Perkins back to Triple-A. Lara will make his debut in Tuesday's doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers also called up left-handed starter Robert Gasser from Nashville as the extra player for the doubleheader.

      Lara, a 21-year-old switch-hitting center fielder, a seven-year, $31 million extension on June 9. He was the second top prospect at the time to ink a long-term deal with the Brewers while still in the minors, joining shortstop Cooper Pratt. Pratt, who signed his deal in April, was promoted about a week after Lara got his deal finalized.

      In his first season at Triple-A, Lara has had a breakthrough season offensively. He has a .321/.432/.470 slash line with career highs of nine homers and 42 RBIs in 78 games with still about half a season to play. Lara had never hit better than .286 (2023), hit more than four homers (2024) or driven in more than 41 runs (2024) before this year.

      Lara won a minor-league Gold Glove last year for his defense in center field and also is a speed threat on the bases, having swiped 24 in 31 tries this year.

      Perkins did not make the Brewers' Opening Day roster and has been called up twice, yet has not been able to get going offensively. Perkins has a slash line of .157/.250/.258 in 53 games with one homer, 11 RBIs and three stolen bases.

       

      Steve Drumwright

      Ryan Braun, the 2011 NL MVP with the Milwaukee Brewers, who had two incidents regarding performance-enhancing drugs, failed to receive 5% of the vote for the Hall of Fame on Tuesday and will no longer appear on the main ballot. Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones were elected to the Hall of Fame.

      After playing his entire career with the Brewers, from 2007-20, the 2007 NL Rookie of the Year was in his first year on the Baseball Writers Association of America ballot. It was a long shot for him to be elected in his inaugural appearance on the ballot, so the real question is whether Braun would hit the threshold to improve his position in future years.

      But Braun received only 15 votes from the 425 writers who turned in ballots, or 3.5%. In fact, 11 of the 12 players who were appearing for the first time did not get 5% and are off the BBWAA ballot (Cole Hamels got 23.8%). Players not elected by the BBWAA will be considered by one of the committees and could be nominated for a vote.

      While Braun has some of the best numbers in Brewers history, he also had two well-publicized incidents involving PEDs. The first came after his MVP season of 2011, when he tested positive and faced a suspension. But he became the first player to successfully appeal on the grounds that his testing sample was handled improperly. Braun admitted to lying about never taking PEDs. Braun was involved in the Biogenesis scandal in 2013 and served a 65-game suspension.

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