Brewers' right-hander continues dominant 2026 season with strong start to rehab assignment

The Milwaukee Brewers' series loss to their division rivals, the Chicago Cubs, over the weekend was not due to the efforts of their starting pitchers. The Brewers lined up their rotation so that their best trio of starters, Jacob Misiorowski, Kyle Harrison, and Brandon Woodruff, would match up with the Cubs, and it's safe to say the group delivered. That trio covered a combined 16.2 innings and allowed just three earned runs over the weekend, while striking out 23 batters.

While a lack of offensive production with runners in scoring position and shaky performances from their bullpen in games two and three led the Brewers to a series loss, Milwaukee's rotation looks stronger than ever. However, that starting group is about to get even better when rookie right-hander Logan Henderson rejoins the rotation in the coming weeks.

The 24-year-old Henderson landed on the IL back on May 26 due to a lower back strain. Prior to the injury, Henderson, who made his debut in 2025 but maintains his rookie status this season, posted a 2.74 ERA in five starts for the big-league club. His unbelievable 33.3% strikeout rate in that small sample size had Brewers fans dreaming about what Henderson could add to the back-end of the rotation this year, making his placement on the IL an even tougher hit to his momentum.

However, now, after just over a month away from a major league mound, Henderson's rehab process has reached a rather encouraging point. The young right-hander began a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds last night and looked just as dominant as he did in a Brewers uniform earlier this year.

Logan Henderson's first rehab outing suggests rookie right-hander's effectiveness hasn't been impacted by IL stint

Henderson took the ball first for the Nashville Sounds in their Sunday afternoon contest against the Gwinnett Stripers, the Atlanta Braves' Triple-A affiliate, and put together a dominant outing. He covered three scoreless innings on 50 pitches, and allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out seven opponents. Henderson allowed just one hard-hit ball (exit velocity of 95 mph or higher), and it was a groundout to first base. The lone hit he surrendered was a seeing-eye single through the left side of the infield that left the bat at just 81.4 mph.

It appears as if Henderson's month-long stint on the injured list has not impacted his effectiveness in the slightest. Sure, it's just one three-inning appearance in a minor league game, but Henderson didn't just put up strong numbers; he dominated the competition.

Given the fact that the Brewers kept Henderson to just 50 pitches in last night's outing, it's possible they want him to make two more starts in Triple-A before rejoining the big-league rotation. That said, if he goes out and tosses 75 or more pitches in his next start and looks just as dominant as he did last night, the Brewers may call upon him during their five-game series (in four days) against the St. Louis Cardinals next week, which would only allow Henderson one more rehab start in Triple-A.

Milwaukee is currently in the middle of a stretch of 27 games in 27 days prior to the All-Star Break and will require all the pitching depth they have to make it through. Henderson's return, therefore, will be a welcome development regardless of the fact that it could create some difficult decisions in the Brewers' rotation. While a six-man rotation could certainly be in play for the upcoming stretch, Henderson's return will theoretically push Shane Drohan and Robert Gasser into the bullpen in the long term.

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