Projecting the Brewers' 2025 Opening Day rotation after Tobias Myers' injury

With Opening Day fast approaching, the Milwaukee Brewers find themselves facing more roster questions than they anticipated. What once appeared to be an area of strength, their starting pitching depth has been severely tested by injuries, forcing the organization to reconsider its plans just weeks before the regular season begins.

Right-hander Tobias Myers is the latest casualty, landing on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain. If his recovery goes smoothly, he could return just ahead of April, but his absence leaves Milwaukee in need of at least one or two spot starts. Unfortunately for the Brewers, he’s far from the only arm sidelined.

The list of unavailable pitchers continue to pile up:

• DL Hall (lat strain, 60-day IL)
• Aaron Ashby (left oblique strain)
• Brandon Woodruff (recovering from shoulder surgery)
• José Quintana (still building up after signing late in spring)
• Robert Gasser (recovering from Tommy John surgery)
• Thomas Pannone (torn flexor tendon)

Injuries are an unavoidable reality in today’s velocity-centric game, but Milwaukee’s early-season attrition is enough to make even the most optimistic fans uneasy. The Brewers have three set rotation pieces in Freddy Peralta, Nestor Cortes, and Aaron Civale—all are healthy and ready to go. However the final two spots remain in flux.

While Quintana and Woodruff could and should eventually return, the Brewers will likely proceed with caution, leaving them in need of temporary solutions. Here are the leading candidates to fill the final spots:

Candidates for the Brewers' Opening Day rotation

Tyler Alexander 

If there was ever a pitcher built for this type of situation, it’s Tyler Alexander. A true swingman, he has the versatility to serve as a multi-inning reliever or make spot starts when needed. Even if injuries hadn’t forced Milwaukee’s hand, Alexander was likely to see a couple of starts at some point this year.

The 30-year-old lefty isn’t overpowering, but he's a certified strike thrower. He won’t rack up strikeouts (90 K in 107.2 IP last season), and his tendency to leave pitches over the plate can get him into trouble, but he remains a dependable innings-eater. With the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024, he posted a 6-5 record with a 5.10 ERA—not dominant, but serviceable. Expect Alexander to be one of the first arms the Brewers turn to, at least for a handful of early-season starts.

Logan Henderson 

A fourth round pick in 2021, Logan Henderson has yet to make his major league debut, and throwing him into the rotation this early is far from ideal. But given the Brewers’ circumstances, he might be one of the few viable options left.

The 23-year-old righty has had an encouraging 2025 spring training, posting a 4.15 ERA over 8.2 innings. However, his command issues remain a concern—he’s walked five batters this spring, and shuttling him between the minors and big leagues could do more harm than good if the Brewers aren’t careful.

Henderson’s strikeout ability (10 K this spring) makes him an intriguing option, but the organization may hesitate to rush him into a starting role before he’s fully ready.

Elvin Rodríguez 

Elvin Rodríguez is a likely choice if the Brewers choose to fill two spots. Unlike Henderson, Rodríguez has major league experience along with minor league options, making him an ideal temporary solution. The Brewers signed him to a one-year deal for 2025 (with a 2026 option), and this could be the perfect chance to see what he brings to the table.

Rodríguez doesn’t have overpowering stuff—his fastball sits in the low 90s (used 48.9% of the time), complemented by a slider and changeup. Manager Pat Murphy has spoken highly of him this spring, which could give him the inside track to a rotation spot.

That said, his spring training numbers have been rough (5.0 IP, 7 K, 9.00 ERA, 2.20 WHIP).

Rodríguez has flashed the ability to miss bats, but he’s also been prone to command issues and hard contact. The Brewers could still give him a shot, hoping he can eat innings until the rotation stabilizes.

The Brewers could utilize a bullpen game arrangement

Beyond these three candidates, Milwaukee may opt for bullpen games when necessary. With relievers like Abner Uribe capable of handling multi-inning roles, this strategy could help buy time until Quintana, Woodruff, or other injured starters return.

While this is far from an ideal situation, the Brewers could be better off dealing with these setbacks now rather than later in the season. By taking a cautious approach, they give their rotation a better chance of staying healthy when the games really start to matter.

For now, though, Milwaukee’s early-season rotation will be a patchwork puzzle, and how well they navigate this challenge could have a lasting impact on their season.

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