The Milwaukee Brewers acquired DL Hall in the trade that sent Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles. Milwaukee had originally envisioned him being a part of their starting rotation. However, durability has been an issue for the lefty as he’s suffered various injuries in his two seasons in Milwaukee. Besides injuries, another issue plaguing Hall is that whenever he has been healthy, he has mostly struggled as a starter. Despite his struggles as a starter, DL Hall has found success when pitching out of the bullpen. I believe DL Hall is better suited to be a relief pitcher.

Struggling As A Starter Embed from Getty Images

When the Brewers traded former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes to the Orioles, DL Hall was one of the players they acquired. At one point, Hall was ranked as the fifth-best prospect inside Baltimore’s farm system as well as 90th on MLB’s top 100 list. He had also appeared in 29 games, including making a start for the Orioles. The Milwaukee Brewers envisioned him as a key cog inside their starting rotation for years to come. However, due to durability and ineffectiveness, it hasn’t worked out that way.

In the past two seasons, DL Hall has been constantly hampered by injuries. Last season, he suffered a lat strain early in spring training and was forced to miss the first two months of the season. Not only has Hall struggled to stay on the field, but he’s also been inconsistent as a starting pitcher. In ten starts with the Brewers, DL Hall has gone 1-2 with a 4.73 ERA, 40 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.6250. The 27-year-old has also struggled with commanding his pitches, walking 22 batters in those starts as well.

DL Hall Has Shown More Effectiveness Out Of The Bullpen Embed from Getty Images

However, DL Hall has shown that he can be much more effective pitching out of the bullpen. In 23 career relief appearances for Milwaukee, Hall is 1-1 with a 3.89 ERA, 31 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.0922. He’s shown that his secondary pitches, such as his slider, curveball, and change-up, generate more whiffs and weak contact when he pitches out of the bullpen. Shorter outings have seen him improve his control, which has led to fewer walks.

DL Hall Won’t Have A Chance At Being The Fifth Starter

Heading into the 2026 season, the Milwaukee Brewers have one of the deepest starting rotations in baseball.  The first four spots in the rotation are currently locked down by Freddy Peralta, Brandon Woodruff, Jacob Misiorowski, and Quinn Priester. While the fifth spot will be decided in the spring, DL Hall faces an uphill battle against Chad Patrick, Logan Henderson, Tobias Myers, and Robert Gasser. It should be noted that all four of those pitchers have proven to be more effective as starters than Hall. This should give the Brewers even more reason to have him pitch out of the bullpen this season.

Hall Fits The Brewers Bullpen Style

Milwaukee loves multi-inning relievers. In the past, the Brewers have relied on relief pitchers like Hoby Milner and Brent Suter to cover multiple innings. Given his experience as a starter, DL Hall can be a multi-inning reliever. Having Hall in this role will help the team cover late leverage innings and bullpen-heavy games.

Moving Him To The Bullpen Will Help Keep Him Healthy Embed from Getty Images

Given DL Hall’s injury-prone nature, moving him into the bullpen permanently is best for his durability. Having him throw fewer innings and fewer high-stress pitches will lead to less cumulative strain on his shoulder and elbow. Shorter outings will reduce mechanical breakdowns in late innings, where injuries can happen as well. As a reliever, Hall can focus more on clean and max-effort mechanics for a short period of time. If the lefty is feeling sore, Milwaukee can rest him for a few days and eliminate “every 5th day” pressure, further risking injury. 

DL Hall Could Become A Lefty Specialist Embed from Getty Images

Moving the 27-year-old to the bullpen gives the team much more flexibility in how they use him. Once his effectiveness starts to decline, this gives the Brewers the flexibility to take him out of the games. Throughout his time in Milwaukee, Hall has excelled at shutting down left-handed hitters. Opposing hitters have only put up a slash line of .167/.279/.271 with just two home runs and an OPS of .550. The Brewers could make DL Hall a lefty specialist if they desired.

DL Hall Is A Reliever Not A Starter Now Embed from Getty Images

The Milwaukee Brewers are much better off using DL Hall as a reliever. His durability issues and lack of command are preventing him from staying in the rotation. The Brewers’ rotation is set outside of the fifth starter spot, which already has steep competition from guys who’ve had success in the rotation before. Hall’s ability to pitch multiple innings and neutralize left-handed hitters serves him much better as a relief pitcher. While the Brewers wanted DL Hall to be a starter, they need to realize that the project has failed. The team will have a better chance to preserve his health and get more effectiveness from him.

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