On March 26, with the Milwaukee Brewers leading 4-1 against the Chicago White Sox entering the eighth inning, fans’ attention shifted toward the bullpen following Joey Ortiz’s grand slam in the seventh inning. The key question remains: who will take on the role of Milwaukee Brewers closer 2026? The choice appears to be between Trevor Megill and Abner Uribe, each expected to play crucial roles but with only one securing the closer position at the start of the year.
As the Cactus League games unfold, the Brewers have yet to finalize who will close games in 2026, leaving speculation about how Pat Murphy will deploy his relief pitchers. One of these pitchers is poised to be the day-one closer, and the other a premier setup man in the bullpen, providing depth and strength late in games.
Reviewing the 2025 Season: Megill’s Strong Performance Offset by Injury
Last season, after the Milwaukee Brewers traded Devin Williams during the offseason, Trevor Megill stepped up as the team’s everyday closer. For most of the season, the towering 6’8″ right-hander excelled, making a strong case for the role. Before suffering a flexor strain in late August, Megill was enjoying his best year in five MLB seasons, boasting a 2.49 ERA, converting 30 saves out of 36 opportunities, and earning a selection to the National League All-Star team.
However, his late-season injury led to Abner Uribe assuming closing duties, a transition that Uribe handled with impressive consistency. During Megill’s absence, Uribe converted all five of his save chances and allowed just two earned runs across 13 innings, signaling his readiness to handle high-pressure situations.
With Megill returning for the postseason, the Brewers opted to use Uribe in the only save opportunity encountered and employed Megill as an opener during the same game. This decision was primarily influenced by Megill’s recent injury, and it does not necessarily forecast who will be the closer in the upcoming season.
Arguments Favoring Trevor Megill as the Opening Day Closer
The unwritten rule in baseball suggests that players should not lose their roles due to injury. As stated,
“you can’t lose your job because of an injury.”
This principle highlights that a player like Megill, who had established himself as the closer before his injury, deserves the opportunity to reclaim his position. While this rule is not formal, it carries weight, especially considering Megill’s All-Star status last season.
Megill has shown both capability and determination to maintain his role as Milwaukee’s closer for 2026. He will be supported by one of MLB’s toughest relievers in the setup spot, likely Uribe, who has demonstrated he can step up when needed. Despite Uribe’s success, Megill should be given the first shot at closing games before a change is considered.
Another factor to consider is the contract landscape. Although it should not dictate roster decisions, Megill’s approaching free agency and trade value cannot be ignored. If he continues to rack up saves this season, his profile as a trade candidate will rise. Conversely, Uribe is entering arbitration after the 2027 season, with his salary poised to increase significantly if he accumulates multiple seasons of closing experience. These financial dynamics might subtly influence the Brewers’ approach, though performance remains paramount.
Expectations and Possibilities for the Brewers’ Bullpen in 2026
Heading into the upcoming regular season, the expectation is that Trevor Megill will be entrusted with the closer role while Abner Uribe assumes the role of a top setup man. The Brewers value having dependable arms at the back end of their bullpen, and their priority is consistent and reliable closing pitching.
Nonetheless, the Brewers are likely to remain flexible. Should Megill encounter difficulties in the closer role, the team will not hesitate to turn to Uribe. Both pitchers are vital to Milwaukee’s bullpen strategy, and their contributions will be essential to the team’s success in 2026 and beyond.
