The Brewers announced that they have signed right-hander Bryse Wilson to a major league deal, a move that was reported earlier. Left-hander Drew Rom has been optioned to Triple-A Nashville to open an active roster spot. Right-hander Easton McGee has been designated for assignment as the corresponding 40-man move.
McGee joined the Brewers in November 2023. He had pitched a handful of innings for the Rays and Mariners over the previous two seasons, but Tommy John surgery ended his 2023 campaign in May, and the Mariners dropped him from their 40-man roster at the end of the year. That’s when Milwaukee swooped in and took a chance on the rehabbing righty, signing him to a two-year minor league pact.
He only pitched in the minors in 2024, but McGee threw 14 2/3 innings over five short stints with the Brewers in 2025. His performance was lackluster – he gave up nine runs on 15 hits – but his numbers were much stronger in the minors (3.59 ERA, 3.27 xERA). Evidently, the Brewers liked what they saw from him, considering he kept his spot on the 40-man roster throughout the winter.
McGee did not make Milwaukee’s roster out of spring training, and he has only thrown two MLB innings in 2026. That’s partly because he hasn’t been able to replicate his Triple-A success. In 41 2/3 innings for the Nashville Sounds, McGee has a 5.62 ERA and 6.09 xERA, and his fastball velocity is down by nearly one mile per hour. His numbers have been particularly poor over the past month. Today, the Brewers decided a 40-man spot for Wilson was more valuable than keeping McGee on the roster as optionable depth. They will now have a week to trade McGee or pass him through waivers. The 28-year-old has been outrighted once before in his career, so if he clears waivers, he will have the right to elect free agency.
Rom, 26, signed a minor league contract with Milwaukee in the offseason. He has pitched 5 2/3 innings for the Brewers this year, his first MLB action since he made eight starts for the Cardinals in 2023. The lefty owns a 35.6% strikeout rate this year between Triple-A and the majors.
