Now in the last full week of spring training, there are still plenty of questions being asked and answered about the Brewers’ roster. Let’s take a look at some of those conversations.
Milwaukee’s shortstop position battle
Per Adam McCalvy, the Brewers’ middle infield setup is officially settled: Pat Murphy has decided to go with Joey Ortiz at shortstop and Brice Turang at second base.
The Brewers’ middle infield question is settled, says Pat Murphy: Joey Ortiz at shortstop and Brice Turang at second.
Murphy praised the medical team for getting Turang’s shoulder MRI scheduled, read and a second opinion completed all in one day yesterday.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 18, 2025
At the beginning of spring training, that seemed to be Murphy’s preference, but over the last week-plus, he’s rolled out different alignments that featured Turang at shortstop and Ortiz at second. Unfortunately, Turang’s should soreness over the weekend pushed him out of contention for the spot, at least for Opening Day. Instead, it’ll be Ortiz taking the spot of Willy Adames with the Platinum Glove-winning Turang remaining at second.
Status of Veteran Non-Roster Invitees
In another update from McCalvy, Brewers’ staff have met about roster status of several non-roster invitees, including veterans Jake Bauers, Mark Canha, and Manuel Margot. With Milwaukee likely only having a few spots (at most) left on the 26-man roster for position players, it seems one or two of those veterans will likely be released or given the option to head to Triple-A Nashville. Per McCalvy, players are expected to be advised of the plan by this Friday.
Brewers officials met about the many roster questions they have to answer in the coming days. Among them: The status of veteran non-roster invitees Jake Bauers, Mark Canha and Manuel Margot. Pat Murphy said the club would advise those players of the plan by Friday.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 18, 2025
Brewers Pitching Staff Takes Another Hit
After the injury to Tobias Myers’ oblique was officially declared to keep him out to begin the season yesterday, McCalvy announced reliever Nick Mears will also begin the year on the IL after being set back with an illness.
Brewers reliever Nick Mears will open the season on the IL. He was seriously ill last week and just got back on the mound yesterday. Metrics were all good, he said, but he will need a series of bullpens and sim games to get back to game-ready.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 18, 2025
Mears’ IL stint is just another blow to Milwaukee’s pitching staff, which is now missing Aaron Ashby, Myers, DL Hall, Brandon Woodruff, Thomas Pannone, J.B. Bukauskas, Robert Gasser, and Mears to begin the season.
