The Brewers declined Rea's $5.5 million club option for 2025 on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Rea passed through waivers unclaimed, and now the Brewers will pay him a $1 million buyout as he heads into free agency. The right-hander held a 3.70 ERA heading into September this season, but he posted an 8.31 ERA that month and didn't appear for Milwaukee during the postseason. Rea shouldn't have trouble landing a rotation job somewhere this winter.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Placed on waivers
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The Brewers placed Rea on waivers Saturday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Rea has a $5.5 million club option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout. It appears the Brewers are willing to move on from the 34-year-old righty, but they will first make him available to the other 29 clubs via waivers before paying the $1 million that would send him to free agency. Rea finished the 2024 season with a 4.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP, but he surrendered 20 earned runs over 21.2 frames during his six starts in September.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Shelled in losing effort
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Rea (12-6) was saddled with the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on 10 hits, three walks and a hit batsman over 5.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out five.
Rea worked past four innings for the first time since Aug 24, but he allowed a season-high 14 batters to reach base. With the Brewers set to host the Wild Card Round of the playoffs starting Tuesday and Rea likely on the outside looking in when it comes to their playoff rotation, he was asked to eat some innings, with the quality being less important than the quantity. The veteran righty finished the regular season with career-high marks in innings pitched (167.2), strikeouts (135) and wins (12).
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Starting on Friday
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Rea will start Friday's game versus the Diamondbacks, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Rea's last appearance came in relief Monday, and since the Brewers previously hadn't committed to a starter for Friday, the right-hander looked like he could end up sticking in the bullpen for the rest of the season. Milwaukee will ultimately turn to Rea to fill the fifth spot in the rotation on three days' rest, though he's still likely on the outside looking in for a starting role during the postseason. Rea holds a 6.82 ERA over his last seven appearances (six starts).
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Could be shifted to bullpen
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Rea is not listed among the Brewers' probable starters for their upcoming series versus the Diamondbacks and could be shifted to a relief role ahead of the postseason, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Rea's last start came Sept. 11, when he was blasted for 10 runs over four innings in a loss to the Giants. He then threw 2.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to pick up a save in Monday's win over the Phillies. The Brewers don't currently have a starter listed for Friday, and it's possible Rea will wind up taking the ball that day on three days' rest. Even if he gets another start or two down the stretch, Rea looks on track to fill a relief role during the postseason. He's posted a 6.82 ERA over his last seven appearances (six starts).
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Lit up for 10 runs
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Rea (12-5) was tagged with the loss against the Giants on Wednesday, allowing 10 runs on 11 hits and one walk over four innings. He struck out one.
Rea had a night to forget Wednesday, allowing four runs in each of the first two innings before ultimately being charged with a season-high 10 runs in the contest. The right-hander also surrendered a season-high 11 hits and has now failed to make it through five innings in back-to-back starts. Furthermore, Rea has coughed up multiple homers in three of his last four outings, while Wednesday marked only his second start this season in which he's failed to record more than one strikeout.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Tosses another four-inning outing
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Rea allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a no-decision against St. Louis on Wednesday.
Rea fell behind early, giving up a pair of runs -- each on bases-loaded walks -- in the first inning. The right-hander calmed down considerably from there, as he didn't allow any additional free passes or runs over his remaining three frames. However, it was another short start for Rea, who also lasted just four innings in his previous appearance, which came against Cincinnati on Aug. 30. Prior to the pair of truncated outings, Rea had gone at least six frames in four consecutive starts.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Hangs on for 12th win
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Rea (12-4) picked up the win Saturday, giving up four runs on eight hits over 6.2 innings in a 9-5 victory over the A's. He struck out five without walking a batter.
The Brewers took a 5-1 lead into the sixth inning, but Rea nearly coughed it up before finally exiting the mound after 102 pitches (76 strikes) with the tying run on second base. Milwaukee's bullpen bailed out the right-hander, and the offense added some insurance runs late. Rea's 12 wins are double his previous career high, and he has issued zero free passes in three straight starts while striking out 14 in 19.2 innings. He lines up to make his next start on the road next weekend in Cincinnati.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Fires seven shutout frames
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Rea (11-4) allowed two hits over seven-plus scoreless innings Sunday, striking out five and earning a win over Cleveland.
Rea hit Jhonkensy Noel twice on top of yielding a pair of hits but allowed only one Guardian to reach scoring position. Rea worked through 5.2 innings of no-hit ball before giving up two straight singles in the sixth. He's given up two or fewer runs in six of his eight outings since the start of July but has coughed up a combined 14 runs in the other two. During that span, Rea owns a 3.38 ERA, lowering his season mark to 3.52 through 135.1 frames. His next start is projected to be in Oakland.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Rocked by Dodgers
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Rea (10-4) allowed seven runs on 10 hits and struck out four without walking a batter over six innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Dodgers.
Rea was no match for a strong offense, as the Dodgers tagged him for four home runs, which accounted for six of the seven runs he gave up. The silver lining was the zero walks, something he hadn't done since July 3. The right-hander is now at a 3.72 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 103:36 K:BB over 128.1 innings across 23 appearances (20 starts) this season. Rea's next outing is projected to be at home versus the Guardians.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Blanks Atlanta for win No. 10
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Rea (10-3) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing five hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings in a 10-0 rout of Atlanta. He struck out nine.
The nine Ks were a season high for Rea, who let only two runners into scoring position all night on a pair of Matt Olson doubles. The right-hander has already won a career-high 10 games this year, but his 3.38 ERA is nearly a full run better than his 4.25 FIP and 4.31 xFIP, so his ability to keep up that pace down the stretch remains in question. Rea lines up to make his next start at home this weekend against the Reds.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Throws five shutout innings
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Rea allowed four hits and two walks while striking out eight over five shutout innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs on Tuesday.
Rea returned to a starting role after pitching behind an opener in his last outing before the All-Star break. The right-hander was generally good Tuesday, though he needed 93 pitches (58 strikes) to complete his five frames in a pitching duel against Jameson Taillon. Rea has allowed two runs or fewer in three of his four outings in July, though he also gave up seven runs July 9 versus the Pirates. For the year, he has a 3.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 84:33 K:BB over 110 innings through 20 appearances (17 starts). His next outing is projected to be at home versus Atlanta.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Earns win in bulk-relief role
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Rea (9-3) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven over 5.2 innings to earn the win Sunday over the Nationals.
Rea was lit up for seven runs over five innings in his last start, so the Brewers opted to have him work behind an opener Sunday. The plan was a success, as he turned in a strong performance, with the seven strikeouts being one shy of his season high. The 34-year-old has put up decent numbers this year with a 3.77 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 76:31 K:BB over 105 innings across 19 appearances (16 starts). Rea should remain in the Brewers' rotation following the All-Star break, though it's unclear if he'll resume working as a traditional starter or end up pitching behind an opener more often in the second half.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Yields seven runs in loss
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Rea (8-3) allowed seven runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Pirates.
Rea had his best start of the year last Wednesday at Colorado, turning in seven shutout innings, but he followed it up with a season-high seven runs against this time. The right-hander's lack of consistency is a little concerning, though this was just the second time in his last eight appearances that he's given up more than three runs. For the season, Rea is sporting a 3.81 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 69:30 K:BB through 99.1 innings over 18 appearances (16 starts). He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Nationals in his next outing.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Fans eight in win
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Rea (7-2) yielded two runs on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings Friday, striking out eight and earning a win over the Cubs.
Rea looked strong aside from a speed bump in the fourth inning. He gave up a solo shot to Seiya Suzuki before Dansby Swanson drove in another run. Rea set new season highs with eight strikeouts and 15 whiffs, including six via the sinker. He hasn't lost a start since May 19; in seven outings since then, he's 4-0 with a 3.03 ERA. Rea is now sporting a 3.61 ERA and 62:28 K:BB through 87.1 innings. His next start is projected to be in Colorado.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Pushed back in pitching schedule
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Rea is no longer listed as the Brewers' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
The Brewers haven't provided an explanation for the change, and Rea isn't believed to be dealing with any sort of injury, so he may just be getting pushed back in the pitching schedule so that Milwaukee can have him available to make a start against the divisional-rival Cubs over the weekend. Milwaukee has yet to announce a replacement starter for Wednesday's contest, but newly acquired lefty Dallas Keuchel would be available on four days' rest to take the hill against the Rangers if the Brewers choose to add him to the 40-man roster. Rea gave up a season-high-tying five earned runs his last time out Friday in San Diego but had rung up a 1.93 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over his five starts before that.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Yields five runs
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Rea allowed five runs on six hits and two walks while failing to record a strikeout over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Friday.
This was the first time all year Rea's failed to log a strikeout, and it's just the third time in 15 appearances (13 starts) he's been on the hook for five runs. The right-hander's poor outing has him at a 3.62 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 54:26 K:BB through 82 innings. Rea is projected to make his next start at home versus the Rangers.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Fans six in win
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Rea (6-2) yielded three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk over six innings Sunday, striking out six and earning a win over the Reds.
Rea allowed a run in each of the first, third and fourth innings Sunday but limited the damage enough to deliver his second straight quality start. He forced nine swinging strikes, his best total since generating 11 against the Pirates on May 13. The 33-year-old righty has been very consistent over his last five starts, posting a 1.93 ERA with a 19:7 K:BB through 28 frames. Rea lowered his season ERA to 3.29 through 76.2 innings. His next start is lined up to be in San Diego.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Completes seven innings in win
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Rea (5-2) earned the win against the Blue Jays on Monday, allowing one run on three hits and no walks with four strikeouts over seven innings.
Rea allowed a solo home run to Alejandro Kirk in the third inning then needed just 85 pitches to complete seven frames for the first time this season. After throwing four scoreless innings in bulk relief last week, this marked the most innings Rea has pitched in a major league game since 2016. While Rea has alternated starts with bulk relief appearances in his past four outings, he has gone 2-0 and yielded just four runs over 22 innings during that stretch. On the season, he owns a 3.31 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 48:23 K:BB in 11 starts and two relief outings.
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Brewers' Colin Rea: Goes four innings in bulk relief
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Rea didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Phillies, allowing four hits and two walks over four scoreless innings. He struck out two.
Rea entered in the second inning after Jared Koenig opened the game with 1.1 scoreless frames. Rea would manage to hold the Phillies off the board for four innings, though he'd need 70 pitches to record 12 outs. It's the second time so far this year that Rea's worked behind an opener. Overall, he's 4-2 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 44:23 K:BB across 63.2 innings. Rea's currently in line for a road matchup with the Tigers on Sunday, though it's unclear if he'll work as a traditional starter or in a bulk role again.
