Kyle Harrison’s workload peaked at 124 1/3 innings in 2024, and the Brewers have kept a close eye on his usage during his first season in Milwaukee. The left-hander has logged 116 1/3 innings between the majors and minors this year, still shy of last year’s total. But after two consecutive short and rocky starts, his spot in the rotation is suddenly in question.
Sunday’s 12-8 loss to the Reds saw Harrison surrender six runs, four earned, over just 3 2/3 innings. Cincinnati tagged him for nine hits and four walks. That outing came on the heels of another 3 2/3-inning start against the Cubs on August 31, when he was charged with nine earned runs.
Those two rough appearances sent Harrison’s ERA soaring from 2.79 to 3.66. Brewers manager Pat Murphy, speaking after Sunday’s game, made it clear the team is considering a change in how they use the 23-year-old lefty.
Murphy Open to Middle Relief Assignment
“I’m sure it will lean to some type of adjustment in terms of maybe he won’t start,” Murphy told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Curt Hogg and other reporters. “Maybe he’ll end up being in the middle of the game. He might start the game and go shorter, that type of thing, once we get those off days and we can get some health.”
Milwaukee is grinding through a stretch of 16 games in 16 days, with a much-needed off-day looming Thursday. Murphy tied any decision about Harrison’s role to that upcoming break and the overall health of the pitching staff. Shifting Harrison to a middle relief role, or limiting his starts, would give the Brewers more flexibility as they navigate the final days of this demanding run.
Since returning from the 15-day injured list on August 5, Harrison has received at least five full days of rest between starts. He missed four weeks with forearm tightness before being activated. In his first four starts back, he posted a 1.83 ERA over 19 2/3 innings, though changes in his fastball were already showing up.
That early success after the injury had the look of a breakout for the former top prospect. Now, his strikeout, walk, and hard-hit rates remain strong, but the Cubs and Reds have exposed questions about his pitch effectiveness since his return.
Fastball Falters as Results Dip
Harrison’s fastball has lost 1.7 mph since his stint on the injured list, according to Hogg. Opponents are hitting .305 against the pitch, up from .201, and they’re swinging and missing far less often.
For a pitcher who leans on just two offerings, he throws his fastball 57.5 percent of the time and his slurve 31.3 percent, a diminished fastball is a glaring problem.
| Harrison indicator | Before recent two starts | After recent two starts or since IL return |
|---|---|---|
| ERA | 2.79 | 3.66 |
| Fastball opponent batting average | .201 | .305 |
| Fastball velocity | 1.7 mph higher | Down 1.7 mph |
| 2026 innings, majors and minors | 116 1/3 | Career high was 124 1/3 in 2024 |
The Brewers haven’t blamed fatigue for Harrison’s struggles. His innings are still below last year’s mark, and he’s had extra rest since coming off the injured list. Instead, the team is eyeing the upcoming off-day as a chance to reset the rotation and bullpen.
Harrison’s role carries weight for Milwaukee’s playoff plans. Jacob Misiorowski is lined up as the staff ace, with Logan Henderson pushing for the No. 2 spot. Murphy said any change for Harrison could mean working in the middle of games or opening with shorter outings once the Brewers get to Thursday’s break.
