Brewers starting pitcher shines in first rehab start

A lot has been made of the Milwaukee Brewers' patchwork pitching staff, that at one point this season, had only one healthy starter from its preseason-projected starting rotation. Since that time, Tobias Myers has returned from injury, Jose Quintana has been masterful after his extended spring training, and the duo of Chad Patrick and Quinn Priester has filled in admirably. However, fans are still wondering what the Brewers' rotation could be capable of at full strength.

Most Brewers fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of Brandon Woodruff, and for good reason. Woodruff has been a staple of the Brewers' pitching staff since his big league debut in 2017, and has been rewarded for his stellar production with two All-Star Game nominations. While Woodruff's return could come as early as this weekend, another Brewers starter who made his first rehab start on Thursday night has re-emerged in the headlines.

Aaron Civale shines in rehab start

After a hamstring injury knocked Aaron Civale out of action in the Brewers’ opening series against the Yankees, he has finally been cleared for game action. Civale, pitching for the Nashville Sounds, made his first rehab start on Thursday night against the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. His return was fantastic, tossing 50 pitches across four innings, while striking out three and allowing just one hit and one walk.

Despite a rocky start against the Yankees in the opening series, where he got tagged for five runs in three innings, Civale was one of Milwaukee's best pitchers after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays last year. In 14 starts with the Brewers in 2024, Civale was good for a 6-3 record, a solid ERA of 3.53, and three eight-strikeout outings.

While Woodruff is likely to take over Priester's spot in the rotation, who Civale will be replacing is far less clear. His return may push Patrick into a spot starter or long relief role, much like Brent Suter's role with the team a few years back, but ridding the rookie, who carries a 3.08 ERA, of his rotation spot does not seem right. These issues generally have a way of working themselves out, and a replacement candidate may be obvious at the time of Civale's return.

The Brewers do face a grueling stretch of 16 games in 17 days in late May-early June, which lines up with the end of Civale's rehab assignment. With that in mind, it's possible that the Brewers turn to a six-man rotation of Civale, Patrick, Woodruff, Peralta, Myers, and Quintana before deciding what their best combination of five starters truly is.