Brewers Place Nick Mears Among Multiple Relievers on Injured List

The Milwaukee Brewers have placed right-handed reliever Nick Mears on the 15-day injured list retroactive to September 2 due to back tightness, adding to an already injury-depleted bullpen. Mears, who has a 3.42 ERA in 59 appearances this season, joins key relievers Trevor Megill, Shelby Miller, DL Hall, and Grant Anderson on the injured list, with Miller out for the season and facing potential Tommy John surgery. The Brewers recalled right-hander Carlos Rodriguez from Triple-A Nashville to help fill the bullpen gap, though Rodriguez has struggled with a 9.95 ERA in two major league games this season. Milwaukee currently holds the best record in Major League Baseball and leads the NL Central by 5½ games over the Chicago Cubs despite these bullpen challenges. Manager Pat Murphy expressed confidence in the team's ability to manage the situation as they await the returns of Megill and Anderson, who are both on rehab assignments. The bullpen injuries represent a significant test for a Brewers team in contention as they approach the stretch run of the regular season.