The Milwaukee Brewers are deep into the process of shaping their 2026 roster, and while Spring Training will answer a lot of questions-especially in a bullpen that’s clearly in transition-some of the pieces are already moving.
One of the more notable early moves came when Milwaukee sent right-hander Nick Mears and utility player Isaac Collins to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for lefty Angel Zerpa. Zerpa’s role is still to be determined, but the Brewers are keeping their options open-he could slot into the bullpen or potentially be stretched out for rotation depth. Either way, he brings a fresh arm to a pitching staff that’s set to look a bit different next season.
And the changes may not be done. There’s ongoing buzz that All-Star closer Trevor Megill could be on the trade block this offseason. While nothing’s official, the possibility of moving a high-leverage arm like Megill suggests the Brewers are at least open to a retool-or at the very least, exploring how to maximize value from their bullpen assets.
Of course, the group that breaks camp in March isn’t going to be the only one we see throughout the 2026 campaign. That’s just the nature of a 162-game grind.
Between injuries, underperformance, and the general wear and tear of a long season, teams often cycle through a surprising number of arms. And we’re already seeing movement from players who had brief stints in Milwaukee last year.
Take Elieser Hernandez, for example. The right-hander didn’t start 2025 with the Brewers, but he did make a quick stop in Milwaukee midseason.
Signed on June 8-just a day after being let go by the Dodgers-Hernandez pitched in four games over a 16-day span, logging six innings and posting a 3.00 ERA. It was a short audition, and by June 24, he was released.
He signed with the Toronto Blue Jays shortly after but didn’t appear in a game for them.
Now, Hernandez is getting another shot at the big leagues, this time with the Atlanta Braves, who inked him to a minor league deal. It’s a low-risk move for Atlanta, and for Hernandez, it’s another chance to prove he still has something to offer at the highest level.
The 30-year-old has been around the league for a while now. Over six MLB seasons, Hernandez has pitched in 99 games, compiling a 10-22 record with a 5.10 ERA. He’s the kind of pitcher who’s bounced between roles-starter, long reliever, spot duty-and while the numbers haven’t always been pretty, teams continue to see value in his experience and ability to eat innings when needed.
For the Brewers, Hernandez’s brief time in Milwaukee is just another reminder of how fluid the bullpen picture can be. As the front office continues to evaluate arms and explore trade possibilities, don’t be surprised if more names come and go before Opening Day. The bullpen puzzle is far from complete-and that’s exactly how it goes this time of year.