Milwaukee Brewers: No MVP Candidate from MLB 2025's Best Team as Per League Experts 1 Aug 6, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill (29) and catcher William Contreras (24) react after defeating the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Pat Murphy noncommittal on Brewers 9th inning duties

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Tyler Koerth_ | Last updated Feb 22, 2026 2:52 PM ET

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy recently signed a new contract that will keep him at the helm for at least three more seasons. Though the deal was finalized before a single Spring Training game was played, there’s little time to celebrate as he quickly shifts focus to preparing his team for the start of the 2026 season.

One of the key position battles this spring is for the closer’s role. Abner Uribe enters the conversation off a dominant 2025 season, including strong playoff performances, while Trevor Megill’s track record keeps him firmly in the mix. However, trade speculation and coming off an elbow flexor strain from late last season casts uncertainty over Megill.

Recently, Murphy was asked about who might take on the closer’s role. He offered several possibilities in a deliberately noncommittal response, exactly the approach he prefers to keep options open and competition alive.

Pat Murphy noncommittal on Milwaukee Brewers 9th inning duties

In a recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article by Todd Rosiak, Murphy addressed the question of who might fill the closer’s role, saying, “I think that’s a sensitive question right now. We’ve got to work that out with the guys. I mean, that’s kind of the message to the whole Milwaukee Brewers team, right? You have to be uncommon. That’s an uncommon mindset for us to thread the needle the way we want to.”

Murphy also noted that matchups and pitcher health will factor into the decision, suggesting that multiple players could see closing opportunities in 2026. That group could include Trevor Megill, who received a PRP injection in his elbow this offseason, Abner Uribe, or when situations arise, left-handers Jared Koenig or Aaron Ashby.

With the closer’s role still very much up in the air, the 2026 season once again promises to be an intriguing test of depth and flexibility for the bullpen Murphy’s approach of weighing matchups, health, and performance keeps competition alive and could provide multiple players a chance to prove themselves in high-leverage situations.

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

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