The Milwaukee Brewers enter 2026 with both opportunity and challenge when it comes to their pitching rotation. With veterans nearing free agency and a young core battling injuries and inconsistency, the front office faces a pivotal offseason that could determine whether the Brewers remain contenders in the National League Central.
The Best Way Forward for the Brewers Rotation in 2026
Bringing Back the Core
Retaining Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta is the first logical step for stability. Both are near the end of their contracts, and while Woodruff missed time late in 2025 with a strained lat, the mutual option for 2026 makes him an attractive, cost-controlled option compared to the open market. Peralta’s $8 million team option is equally a no-brainer after his strong 2025 showing. Keeping both right-handers protects the top of Milwaukee’s rotation, even as trade rumors swirl around Peralta’s final year.
The only pitchers with three or more 200-strikeout seasons for the Brewers:
Yovani Gallardo
Corbin Burnes
Freddy PeraltaPeralta has quickly become one of the top starters in Milwaukee’s history! pic.twitter.com/LTnO4hjlk9
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) November 26, 2025
The Youth Movement
Much of the rotation’s upside, and risk, rests with three young righties: Jacob Misiorowski, Logan Henderson, and Robert Gasser. All three have shown flashes of plus stuff, but dealt with injuries in 2025. Misiorowski performed well in the postseason after a stint on the injured list. The Brewers can afford to be patient, with the depth to let Gasser start in Triple-A if needed. But if healthy, all are rotation-caliber arms with serious upside for 2026.
Internal Depth
Milwaukee saw Quinn Priester dominate at times in 2025, and Tobias Myers earned team MVP honors in 2024 before bouncing between roles last year. Chad Patrick impressed early in 2025, and Carlos Rodriguez continues to rack up strong numbers at Triple-A. DL Hall and Aaron Ashby, strong as multi-inning relievers, remain rotation possibilities if their health holds up. This wealth of options makes the Brewers uniquely poised to use a six-man rotation if they want to protect young arms and keep veterans fresh late into the season.
Outside Help
The Brewers could also dip into free agency to add durability and experience. One name with Milwaukee ties is Zac Gallen. The former All-Star isn’t in Cy Young form, but still ate nearly 200 innings in 2025 and could be had on a short-term, prove-it deal. He recently rejected a qualifying offer from the Diamondbacks, meaning that the Brewers could jump on the opportunity to add experienced depth to the pitching rotation. Pairing a veteran like Gallen with Peralta and Woodruff would give the Brewers balance and a deep, playoff-ready staff, something that proved vital as the team ran out of gas late in 2025.
Management’s Role and the 2026 Outlook
Ultimately, how Milwaukee pieces together its rotation depends on health, performance, and some tough financial decisions.
Will ownership gamble on a six-man rotation and chase postseason glory ahead of a potential 2026 lockout?
Will the front office move Peralta for future assets, or double down on internal depth?
These choices will define the Brewers’ ceiling. However, with the infrastructure in place, Milwaukee is as well-positioned as any club to weather the volatility that defines modern pitching staffs.
A blend of savvy moves, organizational depth, and perhaps a bold signing or trade could turn a very good Brewers rotation into the best in the National League for 2026.
Main Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The post The Best Options for Improving the Brewers Pitching Rotation in 2026 appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.