A day after the Milwaukee Brewers put Nick Mears on the injured list, they offered an encouraging update on another missing reliever, right-hander Grant Anderson. Confirming reports earlier this week, he is headed to Triple-A Nashville to begin a rehab assignment today, his first in-game action since August 23. A return to Milwaukee should not be far off. As the Brewers scrap together innings from available pitchers, getting back a reliable name in Anderson would provide significant relief.
Rehab outing a good sign for one of bullpen’s most underrated assets
Among Brewers relievers, Anderson has thrown the second-most innings, 62 and two-thirds, even with his recent stint on the injured list. He hasn’t just given the team reps, though, he has been effective in his appearances: 2.87 ERA, 9.5 K/9, and only 49 hits allowed. His 3.9 BB/9 walk rate is a bit high, but for the most part, Anderson has kept any command issues in check and limited damage.
His is a familiar story in Milwaukee’s bullpen, renowned for turning reclamation projects into weapons. In two seasons prior to this one, Anderson posted a 6.35 ERA in 62 and one-third innings and surrendered 16 homeruns. In 2025, opposing batters have left the yard only six times. Anderson has held them to a meager .611 OPS.
In his few opportunities, he has not shown quite enough merit set-up man status. Blowing three saves in three tries does not inspire confidence. Still, Anderson is a critical piece of the bullpen puzzle, holding down the sixth, seventh or occasional eighths to hand the game over to Milwaukee’s high leverage guys. Behind Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, and Aaron Ashby, he ranks fourth in ERA among Brewers relievers with at least 20 innings.
Megill, too, is on his way back, slated to return on September 16. By then, the Brewers will have missed their closer for three weeks. The team placed Anderson on the injured list just two days before Megill. To rejuvenate the depleted stock of relievers at Pat Murphy’s disposal, neither can return soon enough.
After Quinn Priester’s seven crucial innings to open the series in Pittsburgh, the Brewers will hope for something similar from Brandon Woodruff on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 5:40 PM CT.
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