5 pitchers the Brewers could call up when the roster expands in September

While the Milwaukee Brewers may be sitting atop the MLB standings, they are also in desperate need of the extra roster spots that will come when the calendar flips to September.

Back in the day, rosters used to expand to 40 in September, allowing teams to fill their dugouts and bullpens with prospects, intriguing veterans, and specialist relievers. Nowadays, the rosters expand to just 28, only two spots larger than the usual 26-man roster. While the only stipulation is that teams can't have more than 14 pitchers on their active roster in September, meaning they could add two position players if they so choose, most teams elect to add the extra pitcher, leaving them with an even number of hurlers and position players.

It's generally an exciting time of the season for any team, regardless of their position in the standings, as it often leads to exciting prospects getting their first shot at the big leagues. However, the Brewers are likely to take a different approach to this year's roster expansion.

With Jackson Chourio, Rhys Hoskins, and Joey Ortiz all set to return to the Brewers’ roster around or shortly after September 1, the extra position player roster spot will likely be used as a way to return injured players to the active roster without having to send one of their current bats down to the minor leagues. In that sense, don't expect any shocking position player additions to the Brewers' roster in September.

However, things get a little more interesting on the pitching side of things. Yes, there is a similar issue of Brewers pitchers such as Grant Anderson, Trevor Megill, and DL Hall returning from the injured list, but that likely won't happen until the middle of the month, meaning there will be an opportunity to add one of the following names to the roster for at least a couple of weeks.

1. LHP Robert Gasser

Originally acquired from the San Diego Padres in the infamous Josh Hader trade back in 2022, Robert Gasser was in the midst of a breakout rookie campaign last season when he suffered a season-ending elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. It was a massive blow for the 26-year-old southpaw, but just over a year later, he is nearing his return.

Gasser is set to make his fifth rehab start with the Nashville Sounds tonight and is expected to throw 75-80 pitches, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. He's been sharp with the Sounds, posting a 1.98 ERA in 13.2 innings through his first four outings. At most, Gasser should need just one more rehab start after tonight before making his return to the majors.

Should the Brewers elect to add Gasser to their roster in September, there are a few different roles that he could fill. While Gasser has been a starter throughout his professional career, at the beginning of the month, Pat Murphy noted that he could potentially join the big league roster in a relief role. Replacing DL Hall as a left-handed long reliever seems to make the most sense, but Gasser could make a start or two down the stretch should the Brewers need him to.

A corresponding move will need to be made to return Gasser, who is currently on the 60-day IL, back to the 40-man roster.

2. LHP Rob Zastryzny

Rob Zastryzny offers a slightly different profile from Gasser, but would still be an intriguing addition to the Brewers' bullpen in September. Zastryzny, who is generally a one-inning reliever, has been out with a stress reaction in his ribs since the beginning of July.

In a lengthy rehab assignment with the Nashville Sounds, Zastryzny has seen mixed results. In nine games with the Sounds over the last month, he has a 9.00 ERA with just seven strikeouts in a total of seven innings pitched. However, that high ERA can be attributed to two poor performances in which Zastryzny allowed a total of six earned runs in just 1.2 innings.

Prior to landing on the IL, Zastryzny was having an excellent year out of the Brewers' bullpen. In 15 appearances, he was sporting a 2.03 ERA and striking out more than a batter per inning. With Grant Anderson and Trevor Megill currently on the IL, adding a true reliever like Zastryzny, who could cover a high-leverage inning, back to the Brewers' bullpen could be a huge boost for the overworked relief corps.

3. RHP Chad Patrick

Similar to Carlos Rodriguez or Gasser, the Brewers could turn to a different Triple-A starting pitcher to provide them with some meaningful innings down the stretch. In such a case, why not turn to the player with the most big-league experience of the three? That would be Chad Patrick, whose 20 MLB starts this season are more than Rodriguez and Gasser have combined throughout their careers.

Patrick was a mainstay in the Brewers' rotation for the first three months of the season, but when it came time for the Brewers to reinstate Brandon Woodruff from the 60-day IL, Patrick was the odd man out in what was a stacked starting rotation at the time. When Patrick was demoted, he had a 3.51 ERA through his first 18 MLB starts, an incredible introduction to the big leagues after winning the triple crown (ERA, strikeouts, and wins) in the International League last season.

It would likely be a long relief role for Patrick with the occasional start if the Brewers need it. Even if it's just two or three innings a couple times a week, the Brewers, who should be interested in giving their high-leverage relievers some rest down the stretch, will gladly take it.

4. RHP Craig Yoho

Craig Yoho possesses one of the most unique pitches in all of baseball. However, despite his elite changeup, Yoho has not yet found success at the big league level despite multiple attempts this season. After making his highly anticipated MLB debut on April 21, Yoho showed flashes of brilliance, but after a couple of major league stints, his struggles with command prevented him from remaining with the big league club.

Even still, Yoho's dominance in the minor leagues is difficult to ignore. After posting an unbelievable 0.94 ERA across three minor league levels a season ago, Yoho carries an even better 0.85 ERA in 38 games with the Nashville Sounds this season. Those are the type of numbers that make you ask why this guy is still in Triple-A.

If Yoho can rein in his command, his ability to miss bats is more than strong enough to be a high-leverage reliever in the big leagues. While it might be risky to try and have Yoho work through his command struggles during the final month of the season, the payoff might be worth it. If Yoho can replicate or at least resemble his minor league success for the Brewers down the stretch, it would be a huge boost to Milwaukee's bullpen.

5. RHP Carlos Rodriguez

Another interesting player that the Crew could choose to recall in September is Carlos Rodriguez, who was up with the big league club last week. Should he be recalled, Rodriguez's role would likely resemble the one that he assumed last week, when he covered the final three innings of a blowout loss to the San Francisco Giants. In other words, Rodriguez's role would be as the Brewers’ multi-inning low-leverage reliever.

While he's struggled to a 9.95 ERA in his two big league appearances this season, Rodriguez sports a 4.11 ERA, a 1.40 WHIP, and 74 strikeouts in 70 innings for the Nashville Sounds this season. He was off to an especially strong start through his first nine starts in Triple-A this season, as he held an ERA under 2.00, but a scary forearm injury threw a wrinkle into his 2025 season, and he hasn't been quite the same since.

More than anything, adding Rodriguez to the roster would allow the Brewers to give more rest to their high-leverage relievers by electing to throw Rodriguez to close out games instead. The move would be relatively seamless as Rodriguez is both healthy and already on the team's 40-man roster.