With Opening Day just around the corner, the Milwaukee Brewers are gearing up with some fresh faces on their 40-man roster. Among the newcomers are Coleman Crow, Brandon Sproat, Shane Drohan, Kyle Harrison, Sammy Peralta, Ángel Zerpa, David Hamilton, Luis Rengifo, Gary Sánchez, and Akil Baddoo.
While not all will make the cut for Opening Day, many are poised to make their mark in 2026. It's a perfect time to reflect on those who started with the Brewers in 2025 but didn’t quite leave a lasting impression.
The Opening Day roster might grab headlines, but it's just a snapshot in a long 162-game journey. For the Brewers, the roster is a revolving door, constantly evolving throughout the season. So, while making the Opening Day roster is significant, it's just one chapter in a larger story.
4 Players You Might Have Forgotten Were on the Brewers' 2025 Opening Day Roster
1. 3B Oliver Dunn
Oliver Dunn joined the Brewers with high expectations after a trade from the Phillies in November 2023. Milwaukee traded away two top prospects, Hendry Mendez and Robert Moore, banking on Dunn's breakout 2023 performance.
However, Dunn struggled to find his rhythm, hitting just .206/.261/.290 over 55 games while battling health issues. A back injury sidelined him for much of 2024, and after just 14 games in 2025, he was designated for assignment.
He’s now with the Chicago White Sox on a minor league deal.
2. RHP Elvin Rodriguez
After a stellar 2024 season in Japan’s Central League, where he posted a 1.74 ERA, Elvin Rodriguez signed with the Brewers. With past MLB experience with the Tigers and Rays, he seemed a promising addition.
Unfortunately, Rodriguez struggled, giving up as many earned runs as innings pitched (18) before being traded to the Orioles early in 2025. He moved between the Orioles and Diamondbacks and is now set to pitch for the Lotte Giants in the KBO for 2026.
3. LHP Connor Thomas
Connor Thomas was picked up in the December 2024 Rule 5 Draft, which meant he needed to stick with the Brewers or return to the Cardinals. Thomas made only two appearances before an elbow injury sidelined him, leading to surgery.
Many fans recall his rough outing against the Yankees, where he gave up eight runs in two innings. Thomas is now with the Atlanta Braves on a minor league deal.
4. LHP Tyler Alexander
Veteran Tyler Alexander joined the Brewers as a free agent in 2025, stepping up amid early injuries. His standout performance came against the Reds, where he pitched 5.2 hitless innings.
However, consistency eluded him, and after a few starts, he was moved to the bullpen. With a 6.19 ERA by June, Alexander was released and picked up by the White Sox.
For 2026, he’s signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers.
As the Brewers prepare for the new season, these stories remind us that while the Opening Day roster is a milestone, the journey through the season is where true impact is made.