In 2025, the Brewers’ starting rotation was a shambles for the first few weeks of the season due to injuries. It got so bad that the team dealt minor-league phenom Yophery Rodriguez, a competitive balance A pick, and John Holobetz to Boston for Quinn Priester. By the end of 2025, the rotation was so deep, early-season hero Chad Patrick was first sent to Triple-A Nashville, then kept hidden in the bullpen. How will it shake out in 2026?

2025 In Review

The Brewers overcame early-season injuries to DL Hall, Nestor Cortes, Aaron Civale, Tobias Myers, and Aaron Ashby – all of whom were contenders for starting rotation spots – as well as the continued convalescence of Brandon Woodruff and Robert Gasser and Jose Quintana’s delayed signing in spring training.

Part of that was by embracing the worst-case scenario in trading for Priester, who became a mainstay in the Milwaukee rotation, while Patrick stepped up huge in the early part of the season. Combined with top prospects Logan Henderson and Jacob Misiorowski contributing, while Freddy Peralta became the team’s ace, and Woodruff returned in a new form that still dominated, the rotation became a strength, so much so that after they’d recovered, Myers, Ashby, Hall, and Patrick spent their time in the bullpen, while Cortes and Civale were dealt mid-season.

Current Roster Situation

Jose Quintana is still a free agent. Peralta and Myers were traded to the Mets. Yet despite those departures, the Brewers still have a lot of options. Woodruff, Misiorowski, Patrick, Priester, Gasser, Henderson, Ashby, Hall, and Carlos Rodriguez return to Maryvale, joined by acquisitions Kyle Harrison, Shane Drohan, Brandon Sproat, and (possibly) Angel Zerpa. Then there is prospect Cameron Crow, added to the 40-man to shield him from the Rule 5 draft. Non-roster invitee Tate Kuehner is a top prospect who’s been dominating in the minors, while Drew Rom could be an emergency option.

Bishop Letson is the only other starter on the Brewer Fanatic Top 20 Prospects list, but the team’s pitching prospects who reached Double-A Biloxi or Triple-A Nashville in 2025 include Alexander Cornielle, Brett Wichrowski, K.C. Hunt, Tyson Harbin, Bishop Letson, and Manuel Rodriguez. We’re not even talking about some high-ceiling prospects further down like Melvin Hernandez, Bryce Meccage, Ethan Dorchies, Jayden Dubanewicz, Steven Duran, and Joan Pena.

Milwaukee is stacked in the rotation, despite the trades.

Best-Case Scenario

The Brewers settle in with a six-man rotation of Woodruff, Misiorowski, Priester, Gasser, one of Patrick or Sproat, and Harrison for the bulk of the season. The team’s depth could be leveraged in two ways: First, it reduces the strain on Woodruff and Gasser, both of whom are not-that-far removed from their return from extended absences due to arm trouble. Second, it would give Milwaukee very fresh pitchers down the season.

The Brewers have a lot of ways to make their rotation work out and work out well. One or two injuries will not disrupt the team horribly, especially with the depth in the minors added to what is already on the 40-man roster. The big challenge will be managing the options and figuring out a way to cash in on some of the pitchers who lack the roster flexibility the Brewers may need.

Worst-Case Scenario

The Brewers make a panic trade for a starter in the early weeks of the season. As was the case in 2025, it would mean that the team’s rotation has been riddled with injuries. With the team’s incredible depth in the rotation just on the 40-man roster, not to mention the prospects at Biloxi and Nashville, a trade for a starting pitcher really should not be occurring in the early part of 2026.

Milwaukee’s model is to have a large stockpile of talent and depth to address injuries and ineffectiveness internally, while cashing in on the pitchers they have developed or rebuilt. Panic trades tend to deplete that stockpile at times and in ways not of Milwaukee’s choosing.

Overview

Oddly enough, after dealing Peralta and Myers while letting Quintana walk, the Brewers came into the 2026 season with more depth and some very clear talent in the rotation. There are arguably 14 legitimate options for spots in the rotation, perhaps as many as 16. Brewers fans should not be surprised to see one or two get moved in a deadline deal if the Brewers want to bulk up for another run in October.