Jeffress will not make his Cactus League debut Sunday due to shoulder soreness, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The good news is that Jeffress is not shut down and continues to play catch -- indicating the injury is minor -- but any arm-related issues early on remain worthy of some concern. The veteran right-hander had a 1.29 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 89:27 K:BB over 76.2 innings last season while recording 15 saves and 18 holds. Jeffress should be ticketed for a high-leverage role for the Brewers, though Corey Knebel is likely to start out the top man for the ninth inning.

Jeffress will remain in Milwaukee next season after the club picked up his $3.175 million 2019 team option Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, the Brewers will gladly pick up the right-hander's option for next year after he logged a 1.29 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 15 saves over the course of the regular season. In spite of his postseason struggles, Jeffress was a cornerstone of one of the top bullpens in all of baseball and will likely reprise his role as the team's closer to begin the 2019 campaign.

Jeffress will ready to go out of the bullpen for Game 1 of the NLDS against Colorado after being unavailable for Monday's game for undisclosed health reasons, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

No further details have surfaced regarding Jeffress' availability during Monday's NL Central tiebreaker in Chicago, though there shouldn't be much concern moving forward. Earlier in the week, manager Craig Counsell and general manager David Stearns also confirmed that Jeffress would be a full participant for the NLDS.

Jeffress wasn't available to pitch in Monday's game against the Cubs due to undisclosed reasons, but he'll be ready to go for divisional series starting Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jeffress was in uniform and at the game, but he wasn't an option to pitch out of the bullpen in the tiebreaker for the division. Both manager Craig Counsell and general manager David Stearns said Jeffress would be a full participant for the divisional series, so he'll resume his high-leverage relief role at the start of the postseason.

Jeffress struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 15th save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

There was likely plenty of adrenaline flowing through Jeffress' veins on the mound for this one, as the victory drew the Brewers level with the Cubs atop the NL Central heading into the regular season's final day. He now boasts a 1.29 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 89:27 K:BB through 76.2 innings this season with 15 saves and 18 holds, and the 31-year-old remains firmly locked into the closer role in Milwaukee.

Jeffress pitched a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 14th save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

He's been a rock for the Brewers down the stretch as they vie for the NL Central title, converting eight straight save chances with a 0.66 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB over his last 12 appearances and 13.2 innings. Jeffress will continue to hold down the closer role in Milwaukee into the postseason, and he should be the favorite for the job heading into next spring.

Jeffress (neck) said he's available to pitch Tuesday against the Cardinals if needed, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jeffress wasn't available for Monday's series opener due to neck spasms, prompting manager Craig Counsell to turn to Corey Knebel in the ninth inning. The veteran reliever is apparently feeling better and will likely get the ball in the ninth inning should a save opportunity arise. Jeffress owns a 1.35 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 84:27 K:BB through 73.1 innings of relief this season.

Jeffress walked one and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 12th save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

He's now converted six straight save chances over his last nine appearances, posting a 0.87 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in 10.1 innings over that stretch while also picking up two wins. Jeffress is never going to have pinpoint control, but as long as he's racking up strikeouts he'll remain an effective part of the Brewers late-inning relief crew.

Jeffress worked around a walk with a pair of strikeouts in a scoreless inning of work to earn his 11th save of the season Monday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Working with a one-run lead, Jeffress walked the tying man aboard with two outs. He bounced back with his second strikeout of the inning to close out yet another win for the Brewers. Corey Knebel earned the save Sunday with Jeffress resting, but the latter came straight back for his third save in as many appearances. Knebel could be inching closer to reclaiming his previous role before the end of the regular season, but however the club decides to deploy the two right-handers, along with dominant lefty Josh Hader, they will have perhaps the best combination of late-inning arms in baseball.

Jeffress allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across 1.1 innings to record the save Saturday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Jeffress entered the game with a runner on first in the eighth inning and a one-run lead. He allowed a single to the first batter he faced but had little trouble recording his 10th save of the season from there. Though Jeffress briefly shared the closer role with Josh Hader, he has recorded six of the last eight Brewers saves, and appears to be the team's primary closer.