Brewers Consider Moving Trevor Megill Out of Closer Role

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy has started to rethink the closer role as Trevor Megill struggles early this season. The bullpen feels shaky, especially after a tough loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, and Murphy’s weighing his options.

Megill’s latest performance and the closer question

Against the Blue Jays, Trevor Megill gave up three runs in the ninth, and Milwaukee lost 9-7 in 10 innings. His season ERA has ballooned to 14.40, which feels worlds away from the All-Star version we saw last year.

Murphy admitted Megill hasn’t pitched well—too much hard contact, not enough sharpness on his pitches. Still, after that emotional loss, he didn’t rush to make a huge change.

Megill’s drop-off from last season is hard to miss. He saved 30 games and had a 2.49 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 47 innings last year.

Now, after just five innings, he’s already allowed eight earned runs. For someone with his late-inning track record, that’s almost unthinkable.

The Brewers’ bullpen has been all over the place, and it’s contributed to a six-game losing streak—their longest since 2023. Murphy warned against panicking, saying Megill’s problems aren’t just about fatigue or overuse.

The numbers behind the struggles

People are starting to worry, and it’s understandable given Megill’s recent reputation. The big All-Star buzz has faded, replaced by concerns about his command and how hard hitters are squaring him up.

Murphy doesn’t think fatigue is the main issue. He sees mislocated pitches and some questionable pitch choices in the most important moments.

Past shimmer, present struggles: Megill’s track record

Looking back at Megill’s run as closer, he delivered when the Brewers needed it most. He locked down tough saves and made the bullpen feel safe last year.

This season, though, the contrast is sharp. The guy who used to own the ninth inning now faces real questions about whether he’s the right choice for that role.

Murphy pointed out that Megill’s velocity hasn’t really dropped off. The bigger issue is his control and pitch quality late in games, and that’s something that might be fixable.

Maybe it’s a mechanical tweak, maybe it’s about mixing pitches better, or maybe he just needs to regain confidence in his best stuff when the game’s on the line.

Brewers bullpen and the alternatives

With Megill’s spot up in the air, people are looking at Milwaukee’s other late-inning arms. Abner Uribe has slipped to a 5.68 ERA after posting a stellar 1.67 last year, and Jared Koenig is still out with an elbow problem.

The bullpen’s struggles are a real thing this season, and they’ve played a big part in the recent losing streak. It’s a rough patch, no doubt.

Murphy doesn’t see a quick or easy fix. The team has to juggle Uribe’s possible rebound, Koenig’s recovery, and whether Megill can win back trust as closer.

The Brewers aren’t looking for a band-aid solution. They want something sustainable—someone who can get those last three outs, even if it means mixing and matching for a while.

Who could step in if not Megill

If Megill’s not the closer right now, Murphy hasn’t named a replacement. The options are thin, and we might see a mix of relievers or even a closer-by-committee setup until someone grabs the job.

Honestly, that’s just the reality of modern bullpens. Closers can be streaky, and teams need depth when one guy falters.

Murphy’s stance and the road ahead

Murphy said Megill doesn’t deserve the closer’s role at this moment, but he’s not ruling out a comeback if Megill finds his groove again. The Brewers are taking it outing by outing, looking at more than just radar gun readings to decide who’s ready for those high-pressure spots.

For fans and analysts, it feels like the Brewers are in a wait-and-see mode. They’re valuing performance over reputation, and nobody’s job is guaranteed.

The next stretch could tell us a lot. Maybe Megill bounces back and reclaims the ninth, or maybe Milwaukee has to get creative and lean on Uribe, Koenig (when he’s healthy), or whoever else steps up to steady the ship late in games.

What this means for fans and the season ahead

• Expect more volatility in late-inning roles as Murphy experiments with small sample sizes and different matchups.
• Keep an eye on Megill’s command, especially when he faces right-handed power hitters late in games.
• Uribe needs to bounce back if he wants to regain trust for the eighth and ninth innings.
• Koenig’s elbow health could push Milwaukee to either stick with a traditional closer or try a flexible, closer-by-committee setup.
• The Brewers’ bullpen depth will get tested this season, and the next few series should reveal a lot about their resilience and adaptability.

 
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