Brewers Make Garrett Mitchell Announcement After Removal From Lineup

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Brewers Make Garrett Mitchell Announcement After Removal From Lineup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Sep 16, 2026 5:49 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers have officially clinched the National League Central division for a fourth consecutive season. Milwaukee has continued to beat the odds year in and year out, and this year they have one of their strongest teams yet, capable of going on a deep postseason run.

One player who has emerged as a key contributor is 28-year-old center fielder Garrett Mitchell. Mitchell has provided excellent defense in the outfield while also supplying consistent offense toward the bottom of the lineup.

Across 134 games, he has posted a .268 batting average, .358 on-base percentage, .789 OPS, 11 home runs and 65 RBIs, making him one of the more underrated players in MLB.

Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell (5)Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Unfortunately, ahead of Wednesday’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Mitchell was suddenly removed hours before first pitch.

In his place, rookie Luis Lara entered the starting lineup. “Garrett Mitchell has been scratched with left neck tightness. Luis Lara replaces him in the lineup, batting seventh and playing CF,” the Brewers wrote on X.

Mitchell has been banged up this year with multiple minor issues but has battled through them. In May he also dealt with neck soreness, and it is unclear if this is that same injury resurfacing. Just last Sunday he exited a game with fluctuating blood sugar levels, so it has been difficult for him to stay on the field consistently in recent weeks.

Garrett Mitchell has been scratched with left neck tightness. Luis Lara replaces him in the lineup, batting seventh and playing CF https://t.co/0ofUO1upM3
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) September 16, 2026

For the Brewers the priority is getting to the MLB playoffs at full strength, so the removal could be purely precautionary and is not a guarantee that Mitchell is dealing with anything serious enough to require a stint on the 10-day injured list.

Manager Pat Murphy will likely provide more context when speaking with reporters after the game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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