Injured Brewers southpaw kicks off rehab assignment as deadline decisions loom

The Milwaukee Brewers' grueling schedule leading up to the All-Star Break, which included 27 games in 27 days and eight during the final week of the first half, was compounded by a string of concerning developments from the team's pitching staff. Veteran starter Brandon Woodruff landed on the 60-day IL and has since announced that he will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, breakout lefty Kyle Harrison was placed on the IL with forearm tightness, and ace Jacob Misiorowski was scratched from his final first-half start due to fatigue.

While Misiorowski is set to return to the Brewers' rotation tomorrow evening in the team's series opener with the New York Mets, and Harrison offered a positive update on his status ahead of today's series finale with the Marlins. Milwaukee's pitching staff is nevertheless feeling the effects of their latest run of injuries.

As a result, the Brewers front office added two pitchers to the team's 40-man roster in a surprise trade with the Houston Astros during the All-Star Break. Milwaukee acquired former All-Star starter Lance McCullers Jr. and 27-year-old southpaw Colton Gordon to bolster their pitching depth.

However, the two former Astros aren't the only reinforcements that the Brew Crew will add to their pitching staff ahead of the midseason trade deadline. Left-hander DL Hall, who has been out with a pectoral strain since June 5, just completed his first outing of a rehab assignment with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Hall allowed a leadoff single but retired the next three batters in order and collected one strikeout in the process. He threw 15 pitches in what is likely to be the first of several rehab appearances.

DL Hall's approaching return from IL to impact Brewers' deadline approach

Hall's return from the IL will no doubt be a welcome development for the Brewers as they continue to navigate the 2026 season without Woodruff, Quinn Priester, Ángel Zerpa, and Brian Fitzpatrick on their pitching staff for the remainder of the campaign. With Shane Drohan and Robert Gasser currently filling in for Milwaukee's injured starters in the rotation, the Brewers' only left-handed reliever at the moment is the oft-used Aaron Ashby. Not only does Ashby need more days off, but the Brewers simply need another high-leverage lefty in their 'pen for the stretch run.

Hall, who sported a 2.03 ERA in 31 innings prior to his injury, could be that high-leverage option, but he will need to get his 19% walk rate in check to be trusted in the later innings. However, his return could have a ripple effect on the Brewers' deadline strategy that allows them to improve both their rotation and bullpen with one move, as noted by Reviewing the Brew's Tyler Koerth. With Hall back in the bullpen, the Brewers have the relief arms to focus on an impact addition to their rotation at the deadline, which could push Drohan back to the bullpen. Drohan, who has been excellent across the board this year, excelled as a reliever during the month of June and could certainly emerge as a high-leverage weapon for the Brewers down the stretch.

With Hall and possibly Drohan back in the bullpen in the near future, the Brewers' lack of left-handed relief options will seemingly be solved, freeing them up to focus on a top-tier rotation addition. These next two weeks before the deadline are integral, especially for the teams on the border of contending and selling. Add Hall's return to the mix in the coming weeks, and there could be plenty of movement on the Brewers' pitching staff in the near future.

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