In a crucial development for the Milwaukee Brewers, promising right-handed pitcher Logan Henderson is slated to make his return from the injured list. This move comes as the team prepares for the decisive final game of their five-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Henderson's return is particularly significant given the recent injury setbacks affecting other key Brewers starters.
Brewers Call Up Henderson Amidst Pitching Woes for Cardinals Showdown
On Thursday, July 9, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri, the Milwaukee Brewers will send right-hander Logan Henderson to the mound for the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals. Henderson, who boasts an impressive 2-1 record and a 2.74 ERA, is making his comeback after a stint on the 15-day injured list due to a lower back strain. His last outing was on May 22, where he delivered five scoreless innings, yielding only two hits in a 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 24-year-old Henderson, ranked as the Brewers' seventh-best prospect by MLB Pipeline, has consistently performed well since his major league debut in April 2025. In 10 starts, he has accumulated a 5-1 record with a stellar 2.23 ERA and 63 strikeouts over 48 1/3 innings. This will be his first career appearance against the Cardinals.
Henderson's activation is timely, as the Brewers are grappling with injuries to their pitching rotation. Pitcher Brandon Woodruff recently discovered a re-injury to his surgically repaired shoulder from 2023, placing him back on the injured list after an early exit from his Saturday start in Arizona. Additionally, Kyle Harrison, who started Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Cardinals, experienced soreness after pitching only four innings. Manager Pat Murphy emphasized the team's commitment to protecting its young pitchers, a sentiment echoed by Henderson's carefully managed return.
Offensively, the Brewers are looking to bounce back from their lowest-scoring game since being shut out by the San Francisco Giants on June 3. On Wednesday, manager Pat Murphy strategically rested key players, including Sal Frelick and Brice Turang. Turang, the team's second baseman, had started 87 of Milwaukee's 92 games and was given a much-needed day off. Despite his recent strong performance, hitting .333 with six doubles and six RBIs in eight July games, Murphy opted for rest, stating, "My whole gist of today was, rest Turang. He's played a lot of baseball, and he would never ask for the day, but we're going to give him that day."
Across the field, the St. Louis Cardinals, who recently snapped a four-game losing streak with their Wednesday win, will counter with right-hander Andre Pallante. Pallante (10-5, 3.60 ERA) has been in excellent form, winning five of his last six starts, including a dominant performance against the Cubs last Friday where he pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings. However, Pallante has historically struggled against the Brewers, holding an 0-3 record with a 5.45 ERA in 16 appearances (four starts).
Alec Burleson emerged as a key offensive force for St. Louis in Wednesday's game, going 2-for-4 with a double and a home run. This performance was particularly notable as Burleson had been hitting just .186 in his previous 13 games. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol praised Burleson's dedication, noting, "We've talked about Burly left-on-left, and he's working really hard at it," referring to Burleson's improved hitting against left-handed pitchers, a matchup he has typically struggled with this season.
Despite Wednesday's loss, Milwaukee has already secured this week's series and the season series, having won seven of the first nine matchups.
The return of Logan Henderson could be a significant turning point for the Brewers as they navigate a challenging season with pitching injuries. His effective past performances offer a beacon of hope for stability in the rotation. Meanwhile, the Cardinals will be looking to capitalize on their recent momentum, especially with Andre Pallante on the mound, despite his past difficulties against Milwaukee. This final game promises to be a compelling clash, showcasing both teams' resilience and strategic adjustments in the face of adversity. For fans, it's a reminder of the dynamic nature of baseball, where individual performances can dramatically shift team fortunes and managerial decisions play a crucial role in long-term success.
