Brewers plan a bullpen start for newly activated Lance McCullers Jr.

The Milwaukee Brewers have activated right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. from the 15-day injured list as the second half begins, but manager Pat Murphy’s immediate plan is more about leverage and bullpen innings than a quick jump back into the rotation. According to reporting attributed to ’s Adam McCalvy, McCullers Jr. is expected to start his Brewers tenure in relief rather than as a traditional starter.

The corresponding roster move also points to the organization’s intent to slot him into a specific role rather than simply opening a starting spot. MLB Trade Rumors reported that left-hander Jared Koenig was optioned to Triple-A Nashville in the transaction that went along with McCullers Jr.’s activation. That type of paired move typically preserves the active pitching group while creating space for the newly eligible pitcher.

McCullers Jr.’s activation itself is the central development, because it changes Milwaukee’s available pitching resources right as the schedule tightens and teams lean harder on their late-game arms. In the second half, managers often value pitchers who can cover multiple scenarios in the same week, and a return from the injured list provides both opportunity and uncertainty. The bullpen-first approach suggests the Brewers want to manage workload and readiness carefully.

Murphy’s comments, as relayed in the report, reinforce a cautious but purposeful path for the right-hander. If McCullers Jr. is indeed used in relief at first, the team can evaluate his effectiveness against hitters as he reenters game action, then decide whether to expand his workload toward longer stints later. For a club balancing everyday competitiveness with the practical realities of returning from injury, that staged role can be preferable to a sudden reinsertion into the rotation.

There is also a wider roster logic to the decision. Optioning Koenig to Nashville indicates Milwaukee’s active bullpen configuration likely already had defined roles that did not require an extra starter slot immediately. By moving a lefty off the 26-man roster and adding McCullers Jr., the Brewers can keep their bullpen left-right balance while using Koenig as organizational depth.

For Koenig, the move does not automatically define his season, but it does change his immediate availability. For McCullers Jr., the move shifts attention from the injured list to his first appearances with Milwaukee. How quickly he adapts to Milwaukee’s pitching usage patterns, including pitch mix, inning targets, and situational matchups, is likely to shape how the Brewers plan his next steps.

Looking ahead, the Brewers’ next pitching decisions will provide the clearest answer to whether McCullers Jr. remains a bullpen piece beyond the early second-half window or transitions later. If his early relief outings go smoothly, the team could gradually increase his responsibilities. If not, Milwaukee may continue to treat him as a high-leverage arm within the bullpen rather than a rotation replacement.