Brewers Eyeing Potential Role Change for 27-Year-Old Pitcher

Milwaukee looking to stretch out reliever DL Hall as rotation depth

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Milwaukee Brewers, known for trading away star players before free agency, are now considering a role change for 27-year-old pitcher DL Hall. Hall, who was acquired in a trade last offseason, has primarily been used as a reliever so far in his Brewers career. However, with the team's starting rotation lacking proven veteran options, manager Pat Murphy is exploring the possibility of stretching Hall out to start games or work in longer relief outings.

Why it matters

The Brewers have a history of trading away their top talent before losing them in free agency, so the team is always looking to develop internal options to fill holes in the roster. Transitioning Hall to a starting or long relief role could provide valuable rotation depth for the Brewers, who are looking to remain competitive in the NL Central despite losing key pieces like Freddy Peralta in the offseason.

The details

Hall has appeared in 33 games for the Brewers over the past two seasons, with only 10 of those being starts. However, manager Pat Murphy believes Hall has the ability to work as a starter or in longer relief outings. The team plans to stretch Hall out to at least two or three innings this spring to evaluate his potential in those roles, with the possibility of adding more length if needed to fill holes in the rotation.

  • In June 2025, manager Pat Murphy confirmed the Brewers were experimenting with a role change for DL Hall.
  • This spring, the Brewers plan to stretch Hall out to at least two or three innings to evaluate his potential as a starter or long reliever.

The players

DL Hall

A 27-year-old pitcher who was acquired by the Brewers in a trade last offseason. He has primarily been used as a reliever so far in his Brewers career.

Pat Murphy

The manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, who is exploring the possibility of transitioning DL Hall to a starting or long relief role to provide rotation depth.

Brandon Woodruff

The lone proven veteran remaining in the Brewers' starting rotation after the team traded away Freddy Peralta in the offseason.

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What they’re saying

“I think they'll both be on track to stretch out, because that behooves everybody, and then we'll just see and read and react from there how everybody else is going and whether or not we need them in the 'pen. DL, hopefully he's 100% healthy and we can see what he can do and stretch him out.”

— Pat Murphy, Manager (Sports Illustrated)

What’s next

The Brewers plan to stretch out DL Hall to at least two or three innings this spring to evaluate his potential as a starter or long reliever, with the possibility of adding more length if needed to fill holes in the rotation.

The takeaway

The Brewers' willingness to experiment with role changes for their pitchers, like transitioning DL Hall from a reliever to a potential starter or long reliever, highlights the team's proactive approach to developing internal options and maintaining a competitive roster despite losing key pieces to free agency.