Bruihl was born and grew up in Petaluma, California and attended Casa Grande High School. He tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow early in his junior season and had Tommy John surgery.[1] Bruihl returned to pitching in the second half of his senior year but was limited to 17+1⁄3 innings pitched, striking out 27 batters and allowing no earned runs.[2]
After beginning the 2021 season with the Double-ATulsa Drillers, Bruihl was promoted to the Triple-AOklahoma City Dodgers on June 1, 2021.[7] The Dodgers selected Bruihl's contract and promoted him the Major League roster on August 8, 2021.[8] He made his major league debut the same day against the Los Angeles Angels, striking out the first batter he faced (Brandon Marsh) and pitching 1+2⁄3 innings.[9] He pitched in 18+2⁄3 innings for the Dodgers in 2021 over 21 games and allowed six earned runs (2.89 ERA) on 13 hits.[10] He also made 26 appearances in the minors (eight for Tulsa and 18 for Oklahoma City) where he had a 2.63 ERA.[11] Bruihl was left off the postseason roster for the first two rounds but added for the 2021 National League Championship Series,[12] where he pitched two scoreless innings allowing only one hit while striking out five batters.[10]
In 2022, Bruihl split the season between the majors and the minors. He pitched in 25 games for Oklahoma City with a 3–1 record and 3.56 ERA[11] and in 24 games for Los Angeles, with a 1–1 record and 3.80 ERA.[10] On September 18, he picked up his first career save against the San Francisco Giants.[13] Bruihl was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin the 2023 season.[14] In 20 games for Los Angeles, he worked to a 4.07 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 24+1⁄3 innings pitched. On July 28, 2023, Bruihl was designated for assignment.[15]
Colorado Rockies
On August 1, 2023, Bruihl was traded to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for cash considerations.[16] In 7 appearances for Colorado, he struggled to a 14.73 ERA with 3 strikeouts across 3+2⁄3 innings of work. On August 25, Bruihl was designated for assignment following the promotion of Evan Justice.[17] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes on August 28.[18] Bruihl elected free agency following the season on November 6.[19]
Cincinnati Reds
On January 3, 2024, Bruihl signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[20] In 19 games for the Triple–A Louisville Bats, he recorded a 2.31 ERA with 24 strikeouts across 23+1⁄3 innings pitched. On June 3, Bruihl was released by the Reds organization.[21]
Pittsburgh Pirates
On June 6, 2024, Bruihl signed a major league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.[22] In 7 games for the Pirates, he struggled to a 9.53 ERA with 5 strikeouts across 5+2⁄3 innings pitched. On July 7, Bruihl was designated for assignment by Pittsburgh.[23] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Indianapolis Indians on July 9.[24] Bruihl elected free agency on October 2.[25]
