Why Opening Day could finally answer a big question still facing the Brewers in 2026

The Milwaukee Brewers finalized their Opening Day roster on Wednesday afternoon, though many of the remaining roster questions, like whether Brandon Woodruff would be ready at the beginning of the season and if Brandon Lockridge's Spring Training was strong enough to earn him a spot on the Opening Day roster, were answered earlier in the week.

Now, the questions turn to how Pat Murphy will manage the 26 players that the organization has elected to carry on the Opening Day roster. Lineup questions, like whether the Brewers feel comfortable playing Jake Bauers in left and Jackson Chourio in center or whether the third base position will be a strict platoon, will be answered several hours before first pitch when Murphy reveals his Opening Day lineup. However, one question won't be answered until the Brewers face their first save situation, which may or may not be this afternoon.

With two strong options, will it be the incumbent Trevor Megill who remains the Brewers' closer in 2026 or will the talented, young Abner Uribe grab the role?

Opening Day could finally answer who will be the Milwaukee Brewers' closer to kick off the 2026 season

Late last season, a flexor issue kept Megill out for the final month, opening the door for Uribe to take over ninth-inning duties. That pattern carried into the playoffs, as Megill returned despite there being a question of how his elbow would hold up, but Uribe had more than earned the opportunity to close, finishing the regular season with a 1.67 ERA over 75.1 innings.

Now, with both pitchers fully healthy, the Brewers have yet to name a definitive closer for 2026. Choosing Megill, who has recorded 51 saves over the past two seasons and earned a $4.7 million payday through arbitration this offseason, is certainly the safer option for a few reasons.

One reason is his proven consistency. Megill didn’t lose the closer’s role last year; rather, an untimely injury pushed him out of ninth-inning duties. With that injury behind him, there’s little reason to expect he won’t step right back into ninth-inning duties.

This becomes even more relevant considering that Uribe will be eligible for arbitration after the 2027 season. If Milwaukee starts stockpiling saves for him now, his salary is going to rise. On the other hand, if he continues to pitch in high-leverage situations, which can be just as valuable as recording saves, his pay could remain more modest.

Ultimately, the pitcher Murphy calls on in the first save situation of the season could provide the clearest window into his strategy. Whether he goes with Megill, the proven closer, or leans on Uribe, who arguably offers more talent and upside, that initial choice will signal how the Brewers plan to manage one of the most important roles in their 2026 bullpen.