A Quick Look At The Milwaukee Brewers As The Open The 2023 MLB Season

With the 2023 Major League Baseball season officially underway, here’s a quick look at the Milwaukee Brewers, who are aiming to reclaim the National League Central title after missing the playoffs a year ago for the first time since 2017.

Who’s Back

For the most part, the Brewers look pretty similar to how they looked at the end of 2022. Corbin Burnes, Eric Lauer, Freddy Peralta and Brandon Woodruff anchor what was a formidable starting rotation with Matt Bush expected to play a more significant role as a set-up option for closer Devin Williams.

Rowdy Tellez, Willy Adames and Luis Urias are back in Milwaukee’s infield, which will see Brice Turang get his big league shot now that Kolten Wong is in Seattle and some potential big pop with Luke Voit seeing time at first behind Tellez.

In the outfield, the Brewers are hoping Christian Yelich finally returns to the form that made him the NL MVP in 2018 and a close second to repeat a year later. He’ll be joined by Garrett Mitchell, a top prospect who made a strong impression after a late-season call-up, with free agent Brian Anderson expected to see significant time in right while Tyrone Taylor recovers from a spring training injury.

Who’s Not

• C Omar Narvaez
• OF Hunter Renfroe
• LHP Brent Suter
• INF Kolten Wong

New Faces

• INF/OF Brian Anderson
• C William Contreras
• LHP Wade Miley
• INF/OF Owen Miller
• 1B Luke Voit
• OF/DH Jesse Winker

Front Office/Coaching Staff

The Brewers’ biggest move came just a few weeks into the offseason when David Stearns made the stunning announcement that he was stepping down from his role as Milwaukee’s President of Baseball Operations and would spend the next year — believed to be the last under his most recent contract extension — serving in advisory role.

With Stearns out, the Brewers handed the reigns of the front office to his longtime lieutenant, Matt Arnold, who was one of Stearns’ first hires and had been sought after by other teams over the last few seasons.

On the field, Craig Counsell is back for his ninth season as manager. He’s the longest-tenured manager in the National League and his held his post longer than all but two other MLB skippers but notably, is in the final season of his own contract.

Chairman/Principal Owner: Mark Attanasio (19th season)

President-Business Operations: Rick Schlesinger

President-Baseball Operations: Vacant

General Manager: Matt Arnold

Manager: Craig Counsell (Ninth season; 615-555)

Coaches: Quintin Berry, Nestor Corredor, Connor Dawson, Daniel de Mondesert, Jim Henderson, Chris Hook, Jason Lane, Walker McKinven, Pat Murphy, Ozzie Timmons, Adam Weisenburger.

Payroll (via Spotrac.com): $108,644,690

2023 Opening Day Roster

Pitchers (13): Corbin Burnes, Matt Bush, Javy Guerra, Eric Lauer, Wade Miley, Hoby Milner, Joel Payamps, Freddy Peralta, Peter Strzelecki*, Gus Varland*, Bryse Wilson, Devin Williams, Brandon Woodruff.

Catchers (2): Victor Caratini, William Contreras.

Infielders (8): Willy Adames; Brian Anderson; Mike Brosseau; Owen Miller; Rowdy Tellez; Brice Turang*; Luis Urias; Luke Voit.

Outfielders (3): Garrett Mitchell*; Jesse Winker; Christian Yelich.

Injured list (5): 60-day — RHP Jason Alexander (right rotator cuff); 15-day — LHP Aaron Ashby (left labrum), RHP Adrian Houser (right groin), LHP Justin Wilson (left elbow); 10-day — OF Tyrone Taylor (right elbow).

Others on 40-man roster: RHP Jake Cousins; RHP Jason Junk; RHP Tyson Miller; RHP Elvis Peguero; RHP Cam Robinson; LHP Ethan Small; RHP Abner Uribe; C Payton Henry; INF Abraham Toro; OF Blake Perkins.

*—On Opening Day roster for the first time