Brubaker began 2018 with Altoona and was promoted to the Indianapolis Indians in May.[7] In 28 starts between both teams, he went 10–6 with a 2.81 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.[8] After the season, the Pirates named Brubaker their minor league pitcher of the year.[9][10] The Pirates added him to their 40-man roster after the season.[11] He returned to Indianapolis to begin 2019, but appeared in only six games during the season due to a strained forearm.[12]
Brubaker made the Opening Day roster in 2020 and made his major league debut on July 26, pitching two scoreless innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.[13] He finished the shortened 2020 season with a 1–3 record, a 4.94 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 47+1⁄3 innings. In 2021, he went 5–13 with a 5.36 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 124+1⁄3 innings over 24 starts.[14] The Pirates named Brubaker their starting pitcher for Opening Day of the 2022 season.[15] In 2022, Brubaker made 28 starts for Pittsburgh, logging a 3–12 record and 4.69 ERA with 147 strikeouts in 144 innings pitched.
On January 13, 2023, Brubaker agreed to a one-year, $2.275 million contract with the Pirates, avoiding salary arbitration.[16] Brubaker was placed on the injured list to begin the 2023 season due to forearm/elbow discomfort.[17] On April 12, Brubaker underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his season.[18] He rehabilitated from the surgery and agreed to a $2.275 million salary for the 2024 season.[19]
New York Yankees
On March 29, 2024, the Pirates traded Brubaker and international signing bonus pool space to the New York Yankees in exchange for a player to be named later.[20][21] Keiner Delgado was traded to the Pirates as the PTBNL on April 30.[22]
Personal life
Brubaker and his wife, Darci, had their first child, a son, in August 2022.[23]