Five players make their first Opening Day roster ahead of Thursday afternoon’s matchup with the Yankees
While the Opening Day roster offers just a single snapshot of a team’s roster throughout the season, there is still something special about being a part of the first game of the year, especially when that game takes place in Yankee Stadium. Just moments ago, the Brewers officially announced the 26 players that will have the honor of representing the big-league club on this year’s Opening Day. The roster includes five players who are making their first appearance on an Opening Day roster: Vinny Capra, Isaac Collins, Jared Koenig, Chad Patrick, and Connor Thomas. Patrick and Thomas are making their MLB debuts.
Injuries in spring training have left the Brewers with just three official starting pitchers, but relievers Thomas, Patrick, Tyler Alexander, and Elvin Rodriguez all have the ability to start games while the Brewers await the return of Brandon Woodruff and Tobias Myers. Newcomer José Quintana, who is a few weeks behind the rest of the rotation due to signing his contract several weeks into spring training, has agreed to start the year in minor leagues until he’s ready for big-league action.
Jake Bauers and Capra played their way onto the Opening Day roster with strong showings in spring training. With Caleb Durbin and Tyler Black starting the year in Triple-A, the pressure is on Bauers and Capra to perform early in the season to keep their spot on the roster. The Brewers designated OF Brewer Hicklen for assignment to make room for Bauers on the 40-man roster. Hicklen, who turned 29 in February, appeared in three games for the Brewers last season and has just nine MLB at-bats in his career.
The Brewers Opening Day 26-man roster is listed below.
Pitchers (13)
- Tyler Alexander
- Aaron Civale
- Nestor Cortes
- Bryan Hudson
- Jared Koenig
- Trevor Megill
- Chad Patrick
- Joel Payamps
- Elvis Peguero
- Freddy Peralta
- Elvin Rodriguez
- Connor Thomas
- Abner Uribe
Catchers (2)
- William Contreras
- Eric Haase
Infielders (6)
- Jake Bauers
- Vinny Capra
- Oliver Dunn
- Rhys Hoskins
- Joey Ortiz
- Brice Turang
Outfielders (5)
- Jackson Chourio
- Isaac Collins
- Sal Frelick
- Garrett Mitchell
- Christian Yelich
Seven players will open the year on the injured list: LHP Aaron Ashby, LHP Robert Gasser, LHP DL Hall, RHP Nick Mears, RHP Tobias Myers, OF Blake Perkins, and RHP Brandon Woodruff.