Brewers 2024 Opening Day roster: Spring standout misses the final cut

Opening Day is here! At least the roster is anyway. While Brewers Opening Day has been pushed back a day due to rain in New York where the Crew is due to play the Mets, the Brewers still announced their 26 man roster for the first game of the season.

As injuries arose towards the end of camp, some roster decisions became much easier, but there was still one tough one to come to.

Catcher Eric Haase, who posted a .395 batting average, a 1.333 OPS, and five homers in spring training, was ultimately left off the Crew's initial 26 man roster and was designated for assignment.

Milwaukee Brewers 2024 Opening Day Roster

Manager Pat Murphy hinted that the team was only going to carry two catchers on its roster, and with William Contreras and Gary Sanchez occupying those spots, there wasn't one left for Haase, despite his outstanding production in the Cactus League.

Taking the final roster spot instead is Oliver Dunn, an infielder that's versatile and can play multiple positions on the dirt while providing some offensive upside as well. The Brewers acquired Dunn from the Phillies this offseason in exchange for two solid prospects in Hendry Mendez and Robert Moore, despite Dunn just now making his MLB debut.

The rest of the position player group is as expected. After Garrett Mitchell's injury, Blake Perkins made the roster as the 4th outfielder while Sal Frelick slides back into centerfield. Andruw Monasterio it was previously reported was told he'd made the team, so he's no surprise.

On the pitching side, J.B. Bukauskas was optioned and Taylor Clarke was put on the IL with a meniscus injury, meaning the final bullpen slots go to Thyago Vieira and Bryan Hudson. both of whom make their first Opening Day rosters, along with 10 other Brewers: DL Hall, Trevor Megill, Elvis Peguero, Abner Uribe, Andruw Monasterio, Joey Ortiz, Oliver Dunn, Sal Frelick, Blake Perkins, and Jackson Chourio.

Two Brewers will be making their MLB debuts along with their first Opening Day rosters, Dunn and uber-prospect Jackson Chourio. Chourio will be starting in right field on Opening Day, per Murphy.

The starting rotation will be led by Freddy Peralta, and he'll be joined by DL Hall, Colin Rea, Joe Ross, and Jakob Junis. It's not the dominant group the Brewers have had before but both Brandon Woodruff and Wade Miley are on the IL.

This roster is going to change constantly as the Brewers are usually quick to remind everyone. Some players that just missed the cut may be up soon as injuries or better matchups arise.