The Milwaukee Brewers are behind the eight ball, as the saying goes, when it comes to their starting pitching to start the 2025 MLB season. Earlier today, it was reported that, due to injuries and other mitigating factors, just three starting pitchers have made their Opening Day roster ahead of their initial series against the New York Yankees: Freddy Peralta, Nestor Cortes, and Aaron Civale.
In addition to these starters, the Brewers are carrying four long relievers/spot starters, three of whom are making an Opening Day roster for the first time. Tyler Alexander, a veteran reliever who had an 11.88 ERA in Spring Training (but only appeared in one game) has made the team. So too have rookies Chad Patrick, Elvin Rodriguez, and Connor Thomas.
Rodriguez has appeared in eight Major League games prior to this season. He pitched in seven games (five starts) for the Detroit Tigers in 2022, and one game for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023. Patrick was Milwaukee’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season (14-1 with a 2.90 ERA at Triple-A), while Thomas was selected by the Brewers in the Rule Five Draft.
Milwaukee Brewers Infielders Jake Bauers and Isaac Collins Have Also Made the Opening Day Roster
According to Brewers insider Adam McCalvy, versatile infielders Jake Bauers and Isaac Collins have also made Milwaukee’s Opening Day roster.
Collins made his Major League debut for the Brewers last season, appearing in 11 games and hitting .118/.211/.118. This spring, he hit .229/.317/.400 with two home runs and nine RBI. He also stole three bases.
And while his batting line may make the second baseman/left fielder’s addition to the roster questionable, it is worth noting that he walked four times while striking out five times.
In Triple-A last season, Collins hit .273/.386/.475 with 14 home runs, 76 RBI, and 24 stolen bases. He also played all three outfield positions as well as second and third base.
Bauers, who played for the Brewers last season but was non-tendered when the year ended, has made the Opening Day roster again following a strong Spring Training. He hit .263/.333/.605 with three home runs and nine RBI in 15 games.
His addition to the roster makes sense as he can, once again, back up Rhys Hoskins at first base. Additionally, he can play either of the corner outfield spots.
More Milwaukee Brewers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
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- Former Brewers 1B “Unconditionally Released” by Houston Astros
- Former Brewers Slugger Has Made the Seattle Mariners Opening Day Roster
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