PEORIA, Ariz. — The question is not whether Robert Gasser makes his Major League debut this season. It's when.

“If he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, I think you’ll see him fairly soon,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “He’s going to make his debut this year at some point.”

The left-hander Gasser -- Milwaukee's No. 6 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline -- struck out five in four innings of the Brewers’ 4-2 Cactus League loss to Seattle, which sent out a Grade-A lineup that included J.P. Crawford, Mitch Haniger, Cal Raleigh, Ty France and Luke Raley.

“He’s got a swing-and-miss,” Murphy said. “Usually the crafty lefty that works both sides, there is not a lot of punch. The fact that he has a swing-and-miss separates him a little bit.”

Gasser relied on cut- and two-seam fastballs while mixing in a half-dozen four-seam fastballs. He struck out Haniger on a four-seamer to end the third inning and got his last batter, Dylan Moore, on a slider looking with the bases loaded to end the fourth inning.

“I’m aware it’s an opportunity, but at the end of the day I don’t have control over that,” said Gasser, who threw 62 pitches. “That’s right where I want to be at this point. Hopefully I can get five [innings] at one point, and wherever I go, I go.”

Freddy Peralta and Colin Rea have two starting spots locked down. DL Hall is a top candidate for a third, and Wade Miley will be there when health permits. Joe Ross, another candidate, has not pitched in the Majors since 2021.

A heavy April schedule could signal a call for early reinforcements. The Brewers have three 13-game stretches between April 5 and May 15, with one day off in between each run.

“With the state of our pitching staff in terms of experience, guys stretched out, guys who have gone five, six innings in the big leagues, there are not too many who have done it,” Murphy said.

Gasser feels his two-seam/cutter combination gives him an edge.

“I feel like it expands the plate for me,” he said. “I get a couple of extra inches because the hitters aren’t completely certain which way it is going to go.”

Bauers' new home

New Brewer Jake Bauers is with his fifth organization in as many years, and with his journey has come a philosophical approach.

“My mindset, just with life in general, is you are always where you are meant to be,” Bauers said.

Right now, that looks a lot like first base.

Bauers turned a pair of potential throwing errors into groundouts Thursday, scooping one-hop throws in the dirt in the first and third innings, including stepping behind the bag into foul territory for the first.

“Incredible,” Gasser said.

Bauers, acquired in a trade with the Yankees over the winter, is the presumed backup to starter Rhys Hoskins at first base and could spend time there when Hoskins is used as a DH. He also is a candidate to take DH at-bats against right-handers.

He has played first base and outfield almost equally in his four Major League seasons, with 144 starts in the outfield and 148 at first.

“I love playing first base,” Bauers said. “I’m just comfortable over there. I like being close to the action. I like being involved in the game. Outfield can get a little boring sometimes. First base you are engaged. You are in the game all the time.”

Bauers had 12 homers and 30 RBIs in 272 plate appearances with the Yankees a year ago, equaling a career high in homers set with Cleveland in 2019. With it came a career-high 48.0 hard-hit percentage but also a 34.9 percent strikeout rate.

“I got a better understanding of preparation and taking an approach into a game,” Bauers said. “Just overall consistency with my load, getting in the spot that I need to get to, then having a flatter bat through the zone. This year, looking to build on that. Maybe throw in a little bit more contact.

“I am at a point in my career where I am really trying to embrace any role, any opportunity and make the most of it.”