Apr 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) brings a new ball to pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Milwaukee Brewers, currently leading the National League Central, are working to stabilize their starting rotation which has been affected by recent injuries. With two key starters landing on the 15-day injured list early in the season, the team is relying heavily on experienced major league pitchers like Freddy Peralta, Colin Rea, and Joe Ross to provide stability. Despite the challenges, the emergence of young pitchers and the depth of the bullpen have been crucial for the Brewers to navigate through these setbacks. The team has already used nine different starting pitchers in their first 24 games, demonstrating their adaptability. With DL Hall and Wade Miley sidelined, the Brewers face the challenge of maintaining their success amidst the ongoing injuries.
Hall, aged 25, was placed on the injured list on April 21 due to a left knee sprain sustained while fielding a bunt during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. In a corresponding move, left-handed relief pitcher Jared Koenig was called up from Triple-A Nashville. Koenig, acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in a controversial offseason trade involving former NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes, has had a challenging start to his tenure with the Brewers. He currently holds a record of 0-1 with a 7.71 earned run average in four starts this season, having allowed 14 earned runs on 27 hits with 13 strikeouts and 10 walks over 16 1/3 innings.
Miley, aged 37, landed on the injured list on April 22 due to left elbow inflammation, with the move retroactive to April 19. Following Miley’s placement on the IL, the Brewers brought up Tobias Myers from Triple-A Nashville to fill the void. Miley, a seasoned left-hander, holds a record of 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA in two starts this season, having surrendered five earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts and four walks over seven innings. He rejoined the Brewers for a second stint last season and inked a one-year, $7 million deal with the organization on December 4, 2023.
Under the leadership of first-year manager Pat Murphy, the Milwaukee Brewers are persevering through their challenging circumstances. Contributing to their success are standout performances from key veterans like Freddy Peralta (2-0), Colin Rea (2-0), and offseason acquisition Joe Ross (1-2), who have collectively secured five victories in 13 starts, tallying 70 innings on the mound.
A testament to the team’s resilience was demonstrated in a recent 2-0 triumph over divisional rival St. Louis, where they utilized four pitchers to secure a shutout victory. Following an impressive start by Rea, relievers Bryan Hudson, Elvis Peguero, and Joel Payamps each played a crucial role in preserving the shutout with short but effective appearances out of the bullpen.
In addition to the seasoned veterans, promising young pitchers like Tobias Myers, who made a strong major league debut in a recent matchup against Pittsburgh, and second-year player Bryse Wilson, have shown potential. However, there remains uncertainty about how the Brewers will further bolster their rotation. Nonetheless, with a resilient “next-man-up” mindset, the team remains confident in their ability to address any lingering issues and adapt accordingly as the season progresses.
