Brewers latest round of roster cuts includes popular bullpen arm having strong spring

The Milwaukee Brewers are finalizing their roster ahead of Opening Day, and with that comes the tough decisions that are part of any team's spring training process. The Brewers have anounced more notable cuts with a trio of recognizeable names: infielder Andruw Monasterio, catcher Jorge Alfaro, and a player who has quickly became a fan favorite, reliever Craig Yoho. While these moves may come as a surprise to some, they shed light on the Brewers' current roster structure and the decisions that will shape their 2025 campaign.

For Monasterio and Alfaro, these cuts aren't so shocking. Monasterio, for instance, had been knocking on the door of a roster spot for some time. His versatility in the infield made him an intriguing candidate as a potential platoon player at second or third base. However, the competition in Milwaukee’s infield was intense this spring, with several players fighting for a chance to earn a spot. As a result, Monasterio found himself on the outside looking in. Alfaro, too, faces a crowded landscape at catcher, with Milwaukee already having solid pieces behind the plate.

The Brewers unfortunately had no choice but to send Craig Yoho down

The situation with Craig Yoho presents a more complicated scenario and it may just have been the plan of the front office all along. Yoho's reassignment has raised more than a few eyebrows, especially considering the numbers he put up this spring.

In seven spring training games, Yoho has been nothing short of dominant. He pitched 7.1 innings, allowed just two hits, and surrendered only one earned run. The right-hander struck out 12 batters and walked three, posting a sparkling 1.23 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP. His performance was excellent across the board, and his success continued from last season when he dominated at all three levels of the minors. Given his numbers, it’s understandable why many are questioning the decision to send him down.

However, the answer may lie in the specifics of Yoho’s situation. He is not yet on the 40-man roster, which presents a challenge for the Brewers' front office. The decision to option Yoho to the minors may not be a reflection of his performance but rather the constraints of roster management. The Brewers already have a closer in Trevor McGill, who has been tapped to take over after the team moved away from former closer Devin Williams. With questions still lingering around the starting rotation and it's impact on shaping the bullpen, it’s likely the Brewers want to take a longer look at their options before calling Yoho up.

Despite his excellent spring, Yoho won't start the regular season with the Brewers. But this doesn’t mean his 2025 campaign is over. He's shown enough promise to suggest that it’s only a matter of time before we see him back with the big league club. His dominance in the minors and spring training suggests he’s on the cusp of a major league breakthrough. If he continues to impress at the minor league level, it’s hard to believe the Brewers will keep him down for long.

As the Brewers prepare for the start of the season, they have a strong roster, but they also have unanswered questions. Though Yoho will not break camp with the team, it’s clear that the Brewers’ front office can see a bright future for the young arm. If he continues to develop and produce at a high level, it won’t be long before he becomes a fixture in the Brewers’ bullpen. For now, he’s a name to keep an eye on as the 2025 season takes shape.

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