MILWAUKEE — The Brewers are hopeful for the imminent return of All-Star closer Devin Williams and eventually All-Star outfielder Christian Yelich. This optimism explains why GM Matt Arnold has focused on a different area as Milwaukee’s biggest need approaching next week’s Trade Deadline.
“It’s definitely some kind of hybrid or length option for the pitching staff,” Arnold said. “We’ve had 16 different guys start games for us so … it’s been challenging for us.”
Freddy Peralta and Colin Rea are the only pitchers who have remained in Milwaukee’s rotation all season. Arnold praised Tobias Myers for his consistency since joining the rotation in late April and expressed confidence that Aaron Civale, acquired in a July 3 trade with the Rays, will significantly contribute in August and September.
The key question leading up to Tuesday’s Deadline is whether the Brewers will use their prospects to acquire another pitcher or rely on their current roster. Top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski is an option for later this season, along with pitchers nearing a return from the injured list. Williams leads this group and, barring setbacks, could make his season debut soon after Friday’s scoreless, 16-pitch rehab outing for Triple-A Nashville.
The Brewers also anticipate the returns of veteran righty Joe Ross and lefty DL Hall. Ross could rejoin the rotation during the current homestand, while Hall is expected to pitch as a multi-inning reliever upon returning from a bruised forearm.
“We have to continue to insulate that bullpen,” Arnold said.
Here are six additional takeaways from Arnold’s session:
1. The Brewers will proceed cautiously with Williams, who has been on the injured list all season with stress fractures in his back and has yet to pitch on consecutive days. His return, just before the Trade Deadline, “is a major addition for us,” Arnold said, relieving pressure on the bullpen’s back end.
2. Yelich, who recently went on the injured list due to recurring back trouble, aims to return this season through rehab instead of immediate surgery, even though surgery will eventually be necessary. “His head and his heart are in the right place,” Arnold said, noting Yelich’s commitment to helping the team despite the physical uncertainty.
3. The specifics of Yelich’s potential surgery are unclear, involving muscular, disk, or nerve issues. If surgery is needed, a three-month rehab is expected, giving Yelich a chance to be ready for 2025 even if he delays the procedure to the offseason.
4. This year’s Trade Deadline market is “tighter than it’s been in years past,” Arnold said, with many teams undecided on selling, increasing the chances of contenders trading big league pieces.
5. Although recent Trade Deadline deals for bullpen arms have been disappointing, the Brewers remain open to such trades. Many of the current relievers, including Trevor Megill, Joel Payamps, Bryse Wilson, Bryan Hudson, and Elvis Peguero, joined via trade. The Brewers also value waiver claim J.B. Bukauskas, who has been recovering from a shoulder injury.
6. “We get a lot of calls on Willy,” Arnold said, referring to shortstop and free agent-to-be Willy Adames. However, Arnold emphasized that it is “highly unlikely” the Brewers will trade him, describing Adames as “the heartbeat of this team” whose energy is irreplaceable. Yet, he acknowledged that nothing is certain.
