As the Cactus League winds down at American Family Fields of Phoenix, the Brewers are gearing up for the regular season with plenty of questions still lingering. With just one more game against the Cubs on the horizon, most of the team is packing up for Milwaukee, leaving Chad Patrick as the lone big leaguer for the finale.
The Brewers still have a couple of exhibition games against the Reds, and the roster is buzzing with uncertainty. Take lefty Shane Drohan, for instance.
Recently acquired from Boston, Drohan is in limbo about whether he’ll be on the plane to Milwaukee. His approach?
Stay flexible and embrace the uncertainty. “As I’ve gotten older, I’m not so stressed out about it,” Drohan shared, embodying a zen-like calm.
One of the biggest wild cards is Brandon Woodruff. The Brewers haven’t decided if he’ll start the season at the back end of the rotation or on the IL.
He’s not injured but is still building up strength after last season’s right lat strain. If Woodruff lands on the IL, he won’t be eligible until April 6 against Boston.
If he’s ready to go, look for him in the Rays series from March 30-April 1.
As for the rotation, Misiorowski, Patrick, and Brandon Sproat are locked in, likely to face the White Sox in the opening series. Kyle Harrison is expected to take the mound against the Rays, provided he recovers from a minor blister issue. If Harrison or Woodruff need more time, Robert Gasser or an opener like Aaron Ashby could step in.
Manager Pat Murphy summed up the situation: “There’s just so many moving parts.” Teams must finalize their 26-man roster by Wednesday morning, just before Opening Day.
The bullpen picture is just as intriguing. Lefty Angel Zerpa, fresh off a strong World Baseball Classic, is in the mix.
Abner Uribe, who closed last season, and Trevor Megill, an All-Star closer, are also contenders. Murphy hinted Megill might get the bulk of the save opportunities, but flexibility will be key.
“We want to be mindful about how much usage those bullpen guys get,” Murphy noted.
On the offensive side, Jake Bauers has been on fire, smashing six homers and posting a 1.728 OPS in Spring Training. In contrast, Mitchell struggled, going 2-for-32.
Bauers attributes his success to a mental shift, focusing less on mechanics and more on playing the game. “I think I have a good base,” he said, optimistic about carrying this mindset into the season.
As the Brewers prepare to transition from FanDuel Sports Network to MLB-produced broadcasts, fans can expect minimal changes aside from channel numbers. Patience will be key as MLB finalizes negotiations with providers.
In the world of baseball, flexibility and adaptability are as crucial as ever. As Drohan wisely put it, sometimes you just have to go with the flow.