MILWAUKEE — The Brewers reinstated All-Star closer Trevor Megill and left-hander DL Hall for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Reds, giving two key bullpen arms a chance to test their health ahead of the National League Division Series.
Megill had been sidelined since Aug. 24 by a right flexor strain and Hall since Aug. 15 by a right oblique injury. They both have faced hitters in batting practice settings, Hall most recently on Thursday in Arizona and Megill on Friday in Milwaukee.
But nothing beats a real game, especially one with some implications. The Reds went into Sunday needing a victory or a Mets loss to clinch the NL’s final Wild Card berth. The Brewers already had the NL’s No. 1 seed locked up along with home-field advantage throughout the postseason, but one more victory would give them 97 this season, a new franchise record.
“Some type of activity in [Sunday’s] game is what’s been discussed,” said Megill, who indicated he would be satisfied with even one batter. “Just get my feet wet and feel what it feels like to be out there again and get ready for the playoffs.”
The 31-year-old has a 2.54 ERA and 30 saves in 49 appearances this season, and was an All-Star for the first time in his career. But he absorbed blown saves in three of his final four outings before landing on the IL.
“Here’s the thing,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said of getting Megill back before the pressure of the postseason. “It will help him, and it’ll keep us from making that decision in more simulated-type situations during the next week, which are harder to get a full assessment on.”
The same goes for Hall, who has a 3.35 ERA in 19 mostly multi-inning appearances for the Brewers this season. When healthy, he was a useful left-handed option alongside Aaron Ashby and Rob Zastryzny, sometimes pitching as an opener ahead of right-handed starter Quinn Priester when the matchup is right.
Teams must set a 26-man roster on the morning of Game 1 of each round of the postseason. For the Brewers, that is Saturday, when they will host the winner of the Padres-Cubs NL Wild Card Series at American Family Field.
“I definitely see myself being active,” Megill said going into Sunday’s outing. “It’s up to them obviously, but I feel like we’re in a good spot.”