Brewers Manager Defends Struggling Closer Megill Amid Boos

Pat Murphy says Megill, an All-Star last season, shouldn't be getting booed by fans as he works to regain his form.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:34am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion, with sharp planes of navy, green, and grey representing the complex challenges facing the Brewers' relief corps.A cubist interpretation of a struggling relief pitcher's delivery, reflecting the Brewers' bullpen woes.Today in Milwaukee

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy is leaving open the possibility he could at least temporarily consider other closing options due to Trevor Megill's early-season struggles. Megill, an All-Star last season, was booed by the American Family Field crowd while allowing three runs in the ninth inning of a 9-7, 10-inning loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. Murphy said Megill shouldn't be getting booed, particularly after the way the veteran right-hander performed last year.

Why it matters

Megill's struggles are a concern for the Brewers, who are looking to build on their success from last season when they advanced to the NL Championship Series. The team's bullpen has been a strength, but some key relievers like Megill and Abner Uribe have gotten off to slow starts in 2026.

The details

Megill, who had a combined 51 saves from 2024-25 and posted a 2.49 ERA with 60 strikeouts over 47 innings last year, has given up eight earned runs through five innings this season. In the loss to the Blue Jays, he opened the ninth by walking Eloy Jiménez and allowing a ground-rule double to Davis Schneider, with both runners eventually scoring. Ernie Clement then delivered a two-out RBI single later in the inning.

  • On Tuesday, Megill allowed three runs in the ninth inning of a 9-7, 10-inning loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
  • Last year, Megill didn't allow his eighth earned run until mid-June.

The players

Pat Murphy

The manager of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Trevor Megill

A right-handed relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers who was an All-Star last season but has struggled early in 2026 with a 14.40 ERA.

Abner Uribe

A relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers who was one of the game's top setup men last season but has also gotten off to a slow start in 2026 with a 5.68 ERA.

Jared Koenig

A relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers who had 27 holds and a 2.86 ERA last season but is currently on the injured list with an elbow issue.

Jacob Misiorowski

A Brewers starting pitcher who overcame an illness to work 5 1/3 innings while allowing two runs in the loss to the Blue Jays.

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What they’re saying

“I'm definitely way better than that. Pitches can be a lot better. Pitch execution can be a lot better. A lot of things can be better.”

— Trevor Megill

“These aren't machines out there. These are people. I thought that was in poor taste, but I've done things in poor taste, too.”

— Pat Murphy, Brewers Manager

“Is he throwing the ball well? No. Is he giving up hard contact? Yes. Do they swing at it like they know it's coming? Yes. But did the guy save 30 games for us last year. I think he did. My heart goes out to him right now. It bleeds for him. He's feeling it.”

— Pat Murphy, Brewers Manager

What’s next

Murphy said he may consider using someone else in the ninth inning, but noted that he didn't want to decide that issue immediately after such an emotional loss. He will have to evaluate Megill's performance in the coming days and weeks to determine if a change is needed in the closer's role.

The takeaway

Megill's early-season struggles have put the Brewers' bullpen in flux, raising questions about whether he can regain his All-Star form from last season. Murphy's defense of Megill and reluctance to make an immediate change suggests the team still believes in the veteran reliever, but his performance will be closely watched as the Brewers look to end their current six-game losing streak.