Pat Murphy offers Joey Ortiz NLDS roster update Brewers fans have been waiting for

The Milwaukee Brewers have an unfortunate history of late-season injuries preceding postseason runs. September injuries to Christian Yelich and Brandon Woodruff are the most recent examples, but the trend also extends to Devin Williams breaking his hand after punching a wall in 2021, Ben Sheets not being a part of the 2008 postseason run after a flexor tendon injury, and of course, Rollie Fingers' forearm injury ahead of the team's memorable 1982 run.

With just over 24 hours remaining until the Brewers' 2026 postseason opener, this year's team thankfully hasn't made a contribution to that disheartening list. However, as the Brewers finish out their stretch of five days off -- the result of them earning a first-round bye -- there was an injury scare that had Brewers fans feeling déjà vu.

Infielder Joey Ortiz exited the Brewers' Friday night opener in their final series of the regular season with a noticeable limp. After the game, manager Pat Murphy revealed that Ortiz had been battling soreness in his knee due to a bruise he sustained during the team's series against the Philadelphia Phillies and also some inflammation in his abdomen that has been causing him discomfort.

Ortiz didn't play either of the final two games of the regular season, and his postseason roster status was briefly in doubt when Murphy couldn't commit one way or another on Tuesday afternoon. However, thankfully, during Friday's media availability, the Brewers' manager took a more optimistic tone when talking about his injured infielder. Said Murphy on Ortiz on Friday afternoon, "It looks like it's progressing in the right direction...I would say at this point we're planning on him being available."

The Brewers are planning on Joey Ortiz "being available" for the NLDS

Despite his struggles during the 2025 season and first half of the 2026 campaign, Ortiz became one of the Brewers' most productive hitters during the second half of this year. In fact, Ortiz had the ninth best OPS (.883) among NL hitters with at least 200 plate appearances, from July 1 to the end of the season. As crazy as the statement would have sounded during the middle of May, Ortiz is one of the Brewers' key offensive X-factors heading into the postseason.

Therefore, it would have been a significant blow had Ortiz missed out on the 2026 postseason run due to his late-season knee and abdomen injuries, but thankfully the Brewers' infielder is expected to be available tomorrow night.

Ortiz's production would indicate that he should start every game regardless of the handedness of the opposing pitcher, but Murphy consistently used David Hamilton against tough right-handed starters at third base, so it's not yet certain just how many games Joey O will start in the postseason. That said, the Padres just announced that southpaw Robbie Ray is getting the ball in Game 1, so Ortiz will almost certainly be manning the hot corner on Saturday night. Regardless of how many at-bats Murphy gives his surging third baseman in October, it's undeniably a welcome development that Ortiz will likely be available for the NLDS roster.

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