Brewers DFA 2025 trade acquisition to open roster spot for recently extended prospect

Last year, several injuries to the Milwaukee Brewers' outfield group opened the door for unlikely contributors to find opportunities with the NL Central-winning ballclub. A fractured shin suffered by Blake Perkins in Spring Training led to Isaac Collins making the Opening Day roster, which turned into a breakout rookie season for the 28-year-old switch hitter. A late-April injury to Garrett Mitchell, that ultimately became a season-ending stint on the IL, led to everyday opportunities for Collins and opened a roster spot for early-season trade acquisition Daz Cameron, who ended up playing 21 games in Brewers uniform.

Later in the season, however, the Brewers tapped even farther into their outfield depth when both Perkins and Collins took brief leaves of absence from the team for personal matters. In mid-August, as the Brewers were in the midst of their franchise-record-breaking 14-game winning streak, the team promoted Steward Berroa to the big-league roster to fill their outfield needs.

Berroa ended up appearing in just two games for the Brewers during his brief stint with the big-league club, but those two games were memorable victories -- they were the 13th and 14th wins of the aforementioned winning streak. Though Berroa didn't collect a hit in his six plate appearances with Milwaukee during the two-game stretch, he did post a walk, a stolen base, and made an incredible play in the outfield, cutting down Miguel Andujar at the plate with a perfect throw from center field.

Though Berroa survived on the Milwaukee's 40-man roster throughout the offseason, keeping his spot as the front office executed three major trades, it now appears that Berroa's time in the Brewers' organization has come to a close. On Friday afternoon, to make room on the 40-man roster for the recently-extended Cooper Pratt, who finalized his 8-year, $50.75 million contract, the Brewers designated Berroa for assignment sending him to waivers where he may or may not be claimed by another organization.

Brewers designate 2025 trade acquisition Steward Berroa for assignment to free up roster spot for Cooper Pratt

The Brewers acquired Berroa in early July of last year in a minor trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers that coincidentally occurred while the two teams were playing one another. Berroa, a switch-hitter who possesses elite speed and an excellent glove in the outfield, felt like a natural fit in a Brewers organization that values defense and baserunning more than most.

Though Berroa didn't post strong numbers with the Brewers' Triple-A squad, the Nashville Sounds, last year, his performance in the Dominican Winter League this year left fans with something to be encouraged by heading into the 2026 season. Berroa, playing for Las Águilas Cibaeñas, posted a slash line of .283/.400/.443 with three homers and eight doubles in 41 games this winter. It's certainly possible that Berroa passes through waivers and remains with the Brewers, who could certainly use his services as outfield depth in Triple-A.

As for Pratt, his contract awards him a spot on the 40-man roster, which seemingly indicates that the Brewers feel comfortable promoting him at a moment's notice should an unfortunate string of injuries occur to the team's infield group. That said, Pratt's development is the number one priority, meaning the Brewers won't promote him to the majors until they believe he's truly ready. To that extent, the move therefore lessens the roster flexibility that the Brewers have in the short term.

Regardless, it's an exciting time for Brewers fans as the next wave of prospect talent starts to near their major league debuts. Pratt epitomizes the Brewers' philosophy as a hard worker who takes pride in his defense and does whatever it takes to help his team win. Having that type of player locked in for the next eight seasons at what would be a very reasonable salary if Pratt reaches his full potential is likely to be another massive victory for the Brewers' front office.