The Brewers are turning to a familiar arm as they try to patch together their pitching staff before the All-Star break.
Milwaukee is signing Bryse Wilson, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray. Wilson, a nine-year big league veteran, was designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs and elected free agency before quickly landing with the Brewers.
"Free-agent pitcher Bryse Wilson and the Milwaukee Brewers are in agreement on a contract, according to sources familiar with the deal," Murray wrote. "Wilson, 28, was recently designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs and elected free agency. He quickly signs with the Brewers, who are in need of pitching reinforcements after Brandon Woodruff was diagnosed on Wednesday with a new injury to his right shoulder while left-handed starter Kyle Harrison exited his most recent start with elbow soreness."
For Milwaukee, this is more than just another transaction. Wilson already knows the place, and the Brewers know exactly what they’re getting. He has spent time with the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Brewers, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Cubs during his career, but his best stretch came in Milwaukee.
In 2023, Wilson worked exclusively out of the bullpen for the Brewers and delivered the strongest season of his career. He made 53 appearances, posted a 2.58 ERA and struck out 61 while walking 22 across 76 2/3 innings. The Brewers used him in a different role in 2024, when he appeared in 34 games, made nine starts and finished with a 4.04 ERA in 104 2/3 innings.
Across his big league career, Wilson has pitched in 166 games and made 57 starts, with a 4.86 ERA overall.
This season has been a much smaller sample. Wilson has appeared in just three major league games between the Phillies and Cubs, allowing seven earned runs in 9 2/3 innings out of the bullpen while striking out eight.
The timing makes sense for Milwaukee. Woodruff is still in limbo after landing on the Injured List and getting imaging that showed a new injury to the anterior shoulder capsule.
He is now seeking a second opinion with surgeon Dr. Keith Meister.
Harrison, meanwhile, is dealing with elbow soreness and has struggled lately.
The bullpen has taken its own hits, with DL Hall, Angel Zerpa and Joel Kuhnel all on the shelf.
That leaves the Brewers needing innings wherever they can find them, and Wilson gives them a pitcher they can use in multiple ways. He could work out of the bullpen or step into a starting role if needed, and Milwaukee clearly felt comfortable enough with what it saw in 2023 and 2024 to bring him back.
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