Brewers Expected to Add Veteran Pitcher Before Opening Day

Team insider says adding rotation depth is a top priority for Milwaukee this offseason.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Milwaukee Brewers are expected to add a veteran starting pitcher to their roster before the 2026 MLB season begins. Brewers manager Pat Murphy has expressed concern about having enough pitching depth to cover the full 162-game season, and team insider Adam McCalvy reports that the team is likely to make a late-offseason signing to shore up the rotation.

Why it matters

The Brewers have had success in recent seasons, including an NLCS appearance in 2025. Maintaining a strong pitching staff is crucial to the team's continued competitiveness in the NL Central division. Adding a veteran arm could provide stability and experience to the rotation.

The details

With only two catchers currently on the 40-man roster, the Brewers have invited several minor league backstops to Spring Training. On the pitching side, the team will be closely monitoring the progress of several pitchers who dealt with injuries late last season. Manager Pat Murphy has indicated that adding another starting pitcher is a top priority, with several free agent options reportedly under consideration including José Quintana, Jordan Montgomery, Zack Littell, and Patrick Corbin.

  • The Brewers' pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on February 12, 2026.
  • The Brewers' first official Spring Training workout is scheduled for February 13, 2026.

The players

Pat Murphy

The manager of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Adam McCalvy

A reporter for MLB.com who covers the Milwaukee Brewers.

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What they’re saying

“We'll probably have to shore that up.”

— Pat Murphy, Manager (MLB.com)

“Having enough pitchers to cover the full 162-game season is the team's "No. 1 concern.”

— Pat Murphy, Manager (MLB.com)

What’s next

The Brewers will continue to monitor the free agent market and could sign a veteran starting pitcher before the start of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Brewers are focused on adding pitching depth to their roster ahead of the 2026 season, highlighting the importance of maintaining a strong starting rotation in order to remain competitive in the NL Central division.