Pat Murphy Comments on Struggling Brewers Player

Mark J&period; Rebilas-Imagn Images

Pat Murphy Comments on Struggling Brewers Player

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Miracle Dimwesh | Last updated Jul 11, 2026 5:00 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers have been one of the best teams in the National League this season, and Aaron Ashby has been a major reason why.

The 28-year-old lefty leads all of baseball with 12 wins out of the bullpen. Across 45 relief appearances, he owns a 3.56 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 28 walks in 55 2/3 innings.

But since the calendar turned to June, Ashby has not been the same. His sinker has been elevated and hit harder more frequently. Manager Pat Murphy was asked about the struggles on Saturday by Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and offered a measured response.

Pat Murphy was asked about Aaron Ashby's struggles since the calendar turned to June -- specifically finding the zone and the sinker being hit -- in light of a heavy workload.

Here was his answer: pic.twitter.com/MHmZHXtA0w
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) July 11, 2026

"I don't think he's tired at all. He's still 99 [mph]. The properties of the pitches are the same, so you can't say it's fatigue. Might be mentally fatigued a little bit. He's had a lot coming at him this year. It happens to every pitcher. He's still having a wonderful first 90 games. Let's give him credit for that and oftentimes this happens to everyone. It's happened to Megill, it's happened to Uribe, it's happened to Patrick. Now Ashby's going through it," Murphy said.

Ashby is still touching 99 mph, which takes a physical breakdown off the table. His ground ball rate has dropped from 64 percent in 2025 to 51 percent this season.

Ashby was drafted by the Brewers in the fourth round in 2018 out of Crowder College in Missouri. He broke out in 2025 with a 2.16 ERA in 66 2/3 innings and is under contract through 2027.

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy (49)Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Brewers are 59-35 and first in the National League Central. Ashby's omission from the NL All-Star roster has been a talking point among Milwaukee fans despite his league-leading win total.

Murphy made clear the team believes this is a temporary stretch. His next outing comes after the break, with Milwaukee opening the second half against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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

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