The Brewers relievers whose late-season performance just became that much more important

The Milwaukee Brewers are currently without five key relievers: DL Hall, Trevor Megill, Shelby Miller, Grant Anderson, and now Nick Mears, all on the injured list with varying return timelines. Together, they've logged 208.2 innings this season, making their absence a significant blow. With that much production sidelined, the bullpen's performance down the stretch becomes even more critical.

Barring any changes, currently Hall is expected to return in late September, Megill on the 16th, Miller will not return this year, Anderson could be activated on the 8th, pending a minor league rehab outing scheduled for the 6th, and Mears is out until at least the 17th.

In response to the wave of injuries, Milwaukee has leaned on its depth and made a few key moves to stabilize the pitching staff. Erick Fedde was signed and made a start in his lone appearance. Joel Payamps, who had previously been DFA’d, had his contract selected once again. Meanwhile, Tobias Myers has stepped into Hall’s role.

Additionally, Rob Zastryzny has logged some game action, while Craig Yoho was called up when rosters expanded in September but has yet to make an appearance. His lack of usage suggests he's low on manager Pat Murphy’s pecking order in tight games, which most Brewers contests tend to be. Lastly, Carlos Rodriguez was promoted in the wake of Mears' injury, and Robert Gasser isn't someone to forget about, as he is getting experience out of the pen in the minor leagues right now in preparation to impact the big league team.

Which Milwaukee Brewers relievers late-season performance just became much more important?

With so many key relievers sidelined, those stepping in now have a valuable opportunity to audition for a potential postseason roster spot. However, it’s unlikely that players like Zastryzny, Yoho, or Rodriguez will factor into Milwaukee’s October plans, regardless of performance. As a result, the late-season contributions that may matter most could come from Anderson, once he’s healthy, making his return a key storyline to watch.

Anderson has quietly been one of the Brewers’ most underrated arms this season. He owns a strong 2.87 ERA and has allowed just six of 30 inherited runners to score. However, with only six holds across 57 appearances, it’s clear he hasn’t been used frequently in high-leverage situations. That could change with both Mears and Megill sidelined, as Anderson’s availability may position him as the go-to bridge to Abner Uribe and Jared Koenig, at least in the short term.

Once Anderson returns, this stretch could be a pivotal chance to prove he can handle high-pressure situations. A strong showing might secure him a spot on the postseason roster. But if he falters, his season could quietly come to a close, remembered as a reliable regular-season arm who ultimately fell just short of earning a role in October.