Milwaukee announced health news for several players on Thursday. Catcher William Contreras may be facing a corrective procedure for his finger, while infielder Caleb Durbin is expected to have elbow surgery, reports Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, among others. Outfielder Sal Frelick was cleared of any concern, as were pitchers Trevor Megill, DL Hall, and Logan Henderson.
Contreras played through a fractured left middle finger for the majority of the season. The injury was announced in early May, but it was believed to have occurred during the 2024 season. Contreras is meeting with a hand specialist next week for a “potential correction,” noted McCalvy.
The 27-year-old backstop endured his worst season in his three-year tenure in Milwaukee. Contreras slashed .260/.355/.399 with a 113 wRC+. Those would be solid marks for most catchers, but Contreras had set quite the standard since coming over from Atlanta. He posted back-to-back seasons with a batting average above .280 and a slugging percentage over .450. Contreras didn’t miss any time with the finger injury, but it seemed to inhibit his power. He totaled 35 extra-base hits this past season after exceeding that mark in doubles alone in both 2023 and 2024.
Durbin is slated for arthroscopic elbow surgery next week. The infielder dealt with elbow irritation near the end of the season, reports Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He’s expected to be healthy for the 2026 campaign.
Durbin came to the Brewers this past offseason in the trade that sent closer Devin Williams to the Yankees. He opened the season at Triple-A Nashville, but was promoted to the big-league club a few weeks into the season. Durbin hit well enough to hold down the third base job for the rest of the year. He also made appearances at second base and shortstop. Durbin slashed a respectable .256/.334/.387 while recording double-digit home runs and stolen bases. He hit safely in six of Milwaukee’s nine postseason games, including two doubles and a triple.
Frelick battled knee soreness over the final months of the regular season. He missed a handful of games in early August, but never went to the IL. Offseason imaging on the knee came back clean, with the team describing the findings as “unremarkable.” Frelick is expected to have a normal offseason.
Megill and Hall both returned from injuries just in time for the playoffs. Megill’s flexor strain and Hall’s oblique issue were deemed fully recovered. Henderson’s season was cut short by a flexor strain of his own, but he’s also good to go now.
Quinn Priester is expected to have a normal offseason after dealing with wrist soreness. He never went to the IL with the injury and was available for a pair of postseason appearances. The issue will be managed with treatment and rehab heading into the 2026 season.
Did I miss the part as to whether Contreras is expected to be ready for Opening Day 2025 or not?
He was available, but sadly was unable to prevent the Brewers from getting swept in the opening series of the year.
As for 2026… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Ready.
“The Brewers said on Thursday that Durbin will undergo an arthroscopic debridement of his right elbow on Oct. 30, and that catcher William Contreras would see hand specialist Dr. Thomas Graham next week for a “potential correction” of the fractured left finger that caused severe pain for the past two seasons. Both are expected to be fully healthy in time for Spring Training.”
And… Yelich?
THAT is the big one. Definitely some major news has to be coming on him. Having him DH the entire PS while Chourio was barely able to move in the outfield still needs to be addressed.
If there isn’t anything about an injury, that was a worse F’up than putting the cancer known as Jesse Winkler in the PS two years ago for no reason.
While not a huge move, no mention of the Conner Thomas outright in MLBTR?
Was hurt almost all season – 1 appearance in MLB & 1 in rehab. But was a Rule 5 claim too. Has STL acted to take him back or not known yet?
Cleared waivers and elected free agency. Will miss 2026 after UCL surgery.
I think St Louis must retain the right to take him back without putting him on their 40 man still though. He had to clear waivers before they could claim him back for $50K. They may have declined already though that isn’t yet clear but this was his 2nd outright also giving him the opportunity to declare FA if not returned and may have enough years for Minors FA.
Contreras better get healthy. I have a feeling he will get hit a few more times next year.