Milwaukee Brewers pitching news: Civale to start tonight, Rodriguez promoted, Payamps designated for assignment

The Milwaukee Brewers have been pillaged by injuries in 2025 when it comes to their starting rotation. It feels like every day they are placing someone on the injured list, promoting a prospect, or making some kind of roster move that shakes up the pitching staff. Today, Aaron Civale returns to the rotation, Carlos Rodriguez returns to MLB, Easton McGee gets demoted back to Triple-A, and Joel Payamps has been designated for assignment.

So far, 11 different pitchers have started a game for the Crew this season, and it's only May 22nd. While that number is still likely to rise at some point, the Brewers will turn to a familiar face in Civale, who made one start before landing on the IL, in Thursday's series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Brewers beat reporter, Todd Rosiak, noted that Rodriguez is expected to follow Civale in tonight’s matchup, with Civale unlikely to face the Pirates' lineup more than two times through.

Aaron Civale to re-join the rotation for Thursday's matchup against the Pirates

Civale was originally scheduled to make one more rehab start in Triple-A Nashville last night. It was initially reported that Rodriguez would grab the vacant rotation spot for at least one start, but following a series against the Baltimore Orioles that involved heavy bullpen usage, the Brewers elected to add two length options to their pitching staff ahead of Thursday's series opener.

Civale was on a rehab assignment for a strained left hamstring that put him on the IL after just one start this season. His lone start came in the Brewers' opening series against the New York Yankees. Civale lasted just three innings and surrendered five earned runs while allowing three home runs.

However, Civale has been sharp in his two rehab outings with the Nashville Sounds. He allowed zero runs on just three total hits while covering a combined nine innings. Civale was a steady, reliable starter for the Brewers in the second half of the 2024 season, making 14 starts and posting a 3.53 ERA after the Brewers acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays on July 3.

Carlos Rodriguez to follow Civale in long relief role

Carlos Rodriguez was a sixth-round pick by the Brewers back in 2021 out of Florida SouthWestern State (Junior) College. He has a dynamic arsenal with six different pitches he can go to, but his changeup is the best of the bunch.

Rodriguez is the No. 22 prospect in the Brewers organization according to MLB Pipeline. He's had a lot of success for a 23-year-old starter, but he doesn't have the overwhelming stuff of a true Top 100 prospect.

In 2024, Rodriguez reached the major leagues, making his debut with Milwaukee on June 11. He went 3.2 innings and surrendered two runs in his debut against the Toronto Blue Jays, and only made three starts before being sent back to the minor leagues.

Despite a 7.30 ERA in the big leagues, there is reason to be optimistic about Rodriguez. In 45.1 innings with Triple-A Nashville in 2025, he has a 1.99 ERA and 9.7 K/9. While he's not pitching terribly deep into games, he gives the Sounds a chance to win every time he's on the mound. The Brewers could use some of that right now.

Brewers designate Joel Payamps for assignment, demote Easton McGee

After a brutal start to the season, the Brewers have officially designated reliever Joel Payamps for assignment. Payamps had been a solid reliever for the Brewers during the last two seasons, posting ERAs of 2.55 and 3.05 in 2023 and 2024, respectively. But things just aren't clicking for the 31-year-old right-hander in 2025.

Given his track record, it's likely that Payamps will be picked up by another organization while on waivers. He has experience pitching in high-leverage situations and even closing games, which is a coveted trait for any team searching for bullpen help.

Meanwhile, Easton McGee was sent back down to Triple-A Nashville after being promoted to the big league roster on Sunday morning. He made just one appearance for the Brewers and covered a scoreless inning in yesterday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. He retired Jackson Holliday, Adley Rutschman, and Gunnar Henderson in the top of the ninth inning before the Brewers tied things up in the bottom of the frame.

The Brewers go with two length options during a time when their bullpen is overworked. The team does not have an off-day until next Thursday, so they will need all the innings they can get out of Civale and Rodriguez.