This forgotten trade acquisition will certainly factor into the Brewers' 2026 bullpen

Even though the 2025 season is still unfolding, the Milwaukee Brewers have been evaluating their internal talent all season. One overlooked trade acquisition, who is yet again Rule 5 Draft eligible this winter, meaning he must be added to the 40-man roster or risk being lost to another team, has performed exceptionally well this year to the point where he should be protected and factor into the team’s bullpen plans in 2026.

Justin Yeager will almost certainly factor into the Milwaukee Brewers 2026 bullpen

Acquired as the third piece in the William Contreras trade in 2022, Justin Yeager didn't make an immediate impact in the Brewers organization, as injury kept him off the field for all but 2.0 innings in 2023. He then rebounded nicely in 2024, posting a 3.88 ERA over 51.0 innings in Double-A, but was not selected by another organization during last winter’s Rule 5 Draft.

This year, he made it clear he had outgrown Double-A, recording a 2.75 ERA and 10 saves over 36.0 innings before earning a promotion to Triple-A. Since moving up, he’s continued to dominate, posting a 1.00 ERA across 18.0 innings. The key to his leap has been the addition of a high-80s cutter, which has complemented his existing arsenal. A mid-90s fastball and a sharp mid-80s slider are his two most utilized pitches, but a sinker and curveball also exist in Yeager's repertoire.

What works in Yeager’s favor when it comes to earning a 40-man roster spot this November, and protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft , is the relatively thin class of eligible Brewers prospects this year. The list isn’t nearly as deep or competitive as it was last offseason, when notable names like Logan Henderson, Chad Patrick, and Shane Smith were all in the mix. That reality gives Yeager a strong chance to secure a spot and position himself for a bullpen role in 2026.

Furthermore, this offseason could bring several openings on the 40-man roster that would work in Yeager’s favor, as several pitchers will likely be impacted. Joel Payamps, assuming he finishes the year on the 40-man roster, is a likely non-tender candidate as he enters his final year of arbitration. Erick Fedde, Jordan Montgomery, and José Quintana are likely to hit free agency, creating additional room. On top of that, players like Connor Thomas, Milwaukee’s offseason Rule 5 pick who underwent elbow surgery, and Easton McGee, who has had an up-and-down 2025 season in the Brewers' organization, are far from locks to be carried on the 40-man roster throughout the offseason.

At 27 years old, Yeager has done everything the Brewers could ask of him at the minor league level. With dominant numbers across both Double-A and Triple-A this season, he’s shown he's ready for the next challenge, which would be pitching in the big leagues.