The Milwaukee Brewers navigated the 2025 season with a surprisingly thin catching group, leaning heavily on All-Star backstop William Contreras. Contreras made 128 starts behind the plate, the second-most in Major League Baseball, underscoring both his durability and the lack of consistent alternatives. Eric Haase opened the year as his primary backup, but Milwaukee shifted course at the trade deadline by acquiring veteran Danny Jansen, a move that resulted in Haase being removed from the 40-man roster.

Neither of those depth options remains in the organization. Haase elected minor league free agency after the season, while Jansen returned to the open market once the Brewers declined his $12 million mutual option. Jansen has since landed with the Texas Rangers on a two-year deal worth $14.5 million. As things currently stand, Milwaukee’s 40-man roster includes just two catchers: Contreras and top prospect Jeferson Quero.

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Quero, 23, remains a key part of the Brewers’ long-term plans, though his development has been interrupted by injuries. The Venezuelan native appeared in only one game during the 2024 Triple-A season before suffering a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, an injury that required surgery and sidelined him for the remainder of the year. He then opened the 2025 campaign on the injured list due to a hamstring issue and didn’t return to game action until early June. Once healthy, Quero showed signs of progress, producing a .255/.336/.412 slash line over 250 plate appearances at Triple-A Nashville.

With Contreras the only catcher on the roster who has logged major league time, Quero enters Spring Training as the presumptive favorite for the backup role. However, Milwaukee appears open to alternatives. The front office has explored veteran options, even as they acknowledge Quero is nearing MLB readiness. The Brewers still have roster flexibility, as Quero can be optioned to Triple-A for at least one more season, potentially more due to his lost 2024 campaign. That leeway could prompt the club to bring in an experienced catcher on a low-cost deal, likely with a Spring Training invite, rather than rushing the young prospect.

Beyond the catching situation, the Brewers will also monitor the progress of right-hander Logan Henderson. Henderson made a strong impression during his first taste of the majors in 2025 before an elbow injury ended his season in August. Encouragingly, he avoided surgery and has resumed a normal offseason throwing program. Henderson will report to camp competing for a rotation spot, joining a crowded mix of arms as Milwaukee evaluates its pitching depth heading into the new season.