Brewers make Jacob Misiorowski Opening Day announcement fans have been waiting for

For the last two seasons, All-Star Freddy Peralta has been the Milwaukee Brewers' Opening Day starter. However, when the Brewers traded Peralta to the New York Mets back in mid-January, their Opening Day starter picture immediately became far less clear.

The initial belief was that Brandon Woodruff would grab the reins and start Opening Day for the Crew just as he did in 2020 and 2021. The Brewers handed Woodruff the largest single-season contract ever given to a pitcher in the history of the franchise when the veteran right-hander agreed to the $22.025 million qualifying offer at the beginning of the offseason. Handing him the ball on Opening Day, therefore, would have made a great deal of sense.

However, when Spring Training got underway, it was clear Woodruff was going to require a slow build-up to the 2026 season, and as a result, his Opening Day status came into question. Interviews of Woodruff throughout the spring season revealed what Brewers fans were hoping they would: Big Woo's priority is to be healthy at the end of the season, and if that means not being available for Opening Day, so be it. Sure, it would have been a great story to see Woody on the bump against the Chicago White Sox next Thursday, but it will be an even greater story when he returns to the postseason for the first time since 2021.

Therefore, with Woody's status in flux, the flame-throwing Jacob Misiorowski emerged as the favorite to be Milwaukee's Opening Day starter. Just moments ago, as revealed by MLB.com Brewers beat reporter Adam McCalvy, among others on the social media platform X, Miz will officially get the ball on Opening Day.

Jacob Misiorowski officially named Brewers' 2026 Opening Day starter

After debuting in early June of last year, it's been quite the start to the young Misiorowski's career. He tossed five innings of no-hit baseball against the St. Louis Cardinals in his MLB debut, made the 2025 All-Star Game after just five starts, lost his rotation spot at the end of the regular season, and then was one of the Brewers' most valuable players in the 2025 postseason.

Now, the 23-year-old Misiorowski can add "Opening Day starter" to his already impressive resume. The flame-thrower will matchup against White Sox' starter Shane Smith who, ironically, was his teammate in the Brewers' farm system just two years ago.

It's quite the accomplishment for Miz, who becomes the fourth Opening Day starter the Brewers have used since the 2020 season. Misiorowski is set for his final tune-up in tonight's Cactus Legue game against the Arizona Diamondbacks before he brings his electric arsenal to American Family Field for a must-see matinee on Thursday.