Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Will rejoin team next week
Rotowire
The Brewers announced that Woodruff (shoulder) will return to the pitching rotation during next week's series against Cincinnati, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Woodruff will finally make his return to the big-league mound for the first time since the end of April. The 33-year-old most recently completed a rehab start Tuesday, allowing three runs over 5.1 innings while striking out six batters. Before going on the injured list, the right-hander posted a 3.60 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB in 30 innings.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Throws 82 pitches in rehab start
Rotowire
Woodruff (shoulder) allowed three runs over 5.1 innings while notching six strikeouts in a rehab start with High-A Wisconsin on Tuesday.
There's no word on what Woodruff's velocity was in the outing, but he got his pitch count up to 82. That leaves him sufficiently stretched out if the Brewers believe he's ready for his next start to be in the majors. Woodruff has yet to make a start this season on four days' rest, so the earliest he could rejoin the big-league rotation is likely Monday in Cincinnati. He's been shelved since late April with right shoulder inflammation.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Another minor-league start on tap
Rotowire
Woodruff (shoulder) is expected to make another minor-league rehab start Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
The Brewers haven't announced which affiliate Woodruff will join for his second rehab start, but he'll be looking to build on the 68-pitch workload he handled with Milwaukee's rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate last Tuesday. He turned in so-so results in that appearance, striking out five batters over 3.2 innings but yielding three runs on five hits and two walks. So long as his shoulder checks out fine during his upcoming minor-league outing and his velocity and command are satisfactory, Woodruff could then return from the 15-day injured list as soon as Sunday in Atlanta. Woodruff has been on the shelf since May 1 due to right shoulder inflammation.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Throws 68 pitches in rehab start
Rotowire
Woodruff (shoulder) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over 3.2 innings in his first rehab start with the Brewers' Arizona Complex League affiliate Tuesday.
The bottom-line results aren't what you want, but Woodruff did strike out five and got his pitch count up to 68. Per Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com, Woodruff averaged a shade under 91 mph between his four-seamer and sinker, which is down from his season average of 92.2 mph but up significantly from the mid-80s he was throwing in his final start before going on the injured list in late April. Woodruff is working on a lower arm slot, and he might need a couple more rehab outings to get comfortable before he rejoins the Milwaukee rotation.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Could pitch in complex league
Rotowire
Woodruff (shoulder) is headed to the Brewers' spring training facility and could pitch in Arizona Complex League games, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Woodruff lowered his arm slot during a 42-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday, as he believes it had risen since right shoulder surgery. (For the record, Baseball Savant disagrees, listing Woodruff's 2026 arm angle at 43 degrees, which is right in line with his career norm). The right-hander is looking for an arm slot that he feels comfortable with, and he could remain in Arizona for a bit while he works on his mechanics. Woodruff believes he will be back to make multiple starts before the All-Star break, but the Brewers have not offered a target date for his return yet.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Set for live batting practice
Rotowire
Woodruff (shoulder) will throw a three-up live batting practice session Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
He's expected to throw around 60 pitches in the outing. He could be cleared to rejoin the Brewers' rotation after that, though it's also possible they'll ask him to make a rehab start. Woodruff has been sidelined since late April because of right shoulder inflammation.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Throwing 60-pitch live BP next week
Rotowire
The Brewers announced Tuesday that Woodruff (shoulder) is scheduled for a 60-pitch live batting practice session next week, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Woodruff continues to get ramped back up after hitting the shelf in late April due to right shoulder inflammation. It's unclear whether the extended simulated game will replace a rehab assignment or if the veteran hurler will need a rehab outing in addition to the sim game. Woodruff held a 3.60 ERA and 25:7 K:BB over 30 innings covering six starts for the Brewers before getting hurt.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Examined by Dr. Meister
Rotowire
Woodruff traveled to Dallas on Tuesday to have his right shoulder examined by Dr. Keith Meister, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Woodruff went on the 15-day injured list last week with right shoulder inflammation after he had to exit his last outing when his fastball velocity sat in the mid-80s. The consensus seems to be that he's going through a "dead arm" phase, though it's an ominous sign that he's seeking out the opinion of Dr. Meister. The Brewers could have more information on Woodruff's status following Tuesday's exam.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Goes on IL with inflamed shoulder
Rotowire
The Brewers placed Woodruff on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Woodruff was pulled from Thursday's outing against the Diamondbacks in the second inning after sitting in the mid-80s with his fastball velocity. Imaging came back clean, per Sophia Minnaert of Brewers.tv, as the veteran hurler appears to be going through a "dead arm" phase. When Woodruff is able to rejoin the Milwaukee rotation will depend on how he bounces back in the coming days, but he's expressed optimism that it will be close to a minimum absence. Logan Henderson is the most likely candidate to take Woodruff's spot in the Brewers' rotation.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Tagged with first loss
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Woodruff (2-1) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out three.
The veteran right-hander started strong with two scoreless frames but allowed single tallies in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings. Woodruff delivered quality starts in his previous two outings but didn't come back out for the sixth inning Friday to end that streak. He's gone at least five frames in each of his five starts this year and has a 3.77 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 23:6 K:BB across 28.2 innings.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Another quality start
Rotowire
Woodruff (2-0) earned the win against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out four across seven innings.
It was a strong outing for Woodruff, who tossed 70 strikes on 92 pitches while generating 12 whiffs. He limited the Marlins to only four baserunners, with his lone blemish coming in the second inning, when he yielded an RBI single to Connor Norby. Woodruff has logged a quality start in two consecutive outings and has allowed three earned runs or less in three of four appearances this season. He'll take a 3.52 ERA and 0.96 WHIP (over 23 innings) into his next start, which is slated for next weekend at home against the Pirates.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Stumbles in no-decision
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Woodruff took a no-decision Monday against the Red Sox, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out four.
Following an encouraging season debut against the Rays, when he fired five innings of two-run ball, Woodruff stumbled a bit in his second start. The right-hander was tagged for three extra-base hits Monday, though a fielding error by David Hamilton at least prevented each of the hurler's runs allowed to be earned in the fourth inning. A positive takeaway is that Woodruff launched 94 pitches -- he tossed just 67 in his 2026 debut -- and he has also a favorable home matchup versus Washington set for this weekend.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Notches win in season debut
Rotowire
Woodruff (1-0) earned the win Tuesday versus the Rays, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks across five innings. He struck out six.
Woodruff was brought along slowly during spring training after finishing last season on the injured list due to a lat strain, and he was pulled after five frames and just 67 pitches (45 strikes) in his season debut Tuesday. The 33-year-old righty was able to work efficiently and pick up the win, with the only damage against him coming via a pair of solo home runs. Woodruff averaged 93.1 mph with his fastball, which is a couple ticks lower than he averaged prior to his 2023 shoulder surgery but is in line with what he posted in 12 starts during the 2025 regular season. He's likely to make his next start on the road in Boston early next week.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: First start scheduled for March 31
Rotowire
Woodruff (lat) is scheduled to make his season debut March 31 at home against the Rays, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
It's the first confirmation that Woodruff -- who was brought along slowly this spring after finishing last season on the injured list with a right lat strain -- will avoid the injured list and get a start during the Brewers' first turn through the rotation. The veteran right-hander officially threw only five Cactus League innings, though he got in additional work in other settings. Still, the Brewers will keep a close eye on Woodruff's workload this season, especially early on.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Status for Opening Day still TBD
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Woodruff (lat) said Friday that his status for Opening Day remains "up in the air," Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Woodruff threw two innings in his Cactus League debut last weekend and tossed four frames in a simulated game Friday. The right-hander has been brought along slowly in Brewers camp after ending last season with a right lat strain, and while he's considered healthy, the buildup could continue after Opening Day. Woodruff also said that "maybe the majority" of his starts this season will be on five days' rest or more, and his "main goal" remains being healthy at the end of the season.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Starting Saturday
Rotowire
Woodruff (lat) will start for the Brewers in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Guardians.
Woodruff ended the 2025 season on the 15-day injured list due to a right lat strain. He was limited to mound work and live batting practices to open spring training, and the 33-year-old right-hander is ready to take the next step by pitching in a competitive setting Saturday. It's a positive sign that Woodruff will be on the Brewers' Opening Day roster.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Tracking toward avoiding IL
Rotowire
The Brewers say Woodruff (lat) is "on track to begin the season in the rotation," Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Woodruff is scheduled for a two-up live batting practice session Sunday and then he will begin game progression, per Rosiak. This report comes one day after Woodruff said his Opening Day availability is "up in the air," so expect many more reports on Woodruff's status between now and the start of the season. Woodruff hasn't thrown 70-plus innings in the majors since 2022, so the Brewers will proceed with caution this spring in hopes of having him available for the postseason.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Scheduled for live BP on Monday
Rotowire
Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that Woodruff (lat) will throw a live batting practice session Monday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
He will throw an additional couple live BP sessions after Monday before progressing to Cactus League outings. Woodruff is considered healthy, but the Brewers are slow-playing him this spring after his 2025 season ended due to a right lat strain. The veteran hurler held a 3.20 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 83:14 K:BB in 64.2 innings last season after making it back from shoulder surgery and returned to Milwaukee when he accepted the team's one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer in November.
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Brandon Woodruff: Receives qualifying offer
Rotowire
The Brewers extended a one-year, $22.05 million qualifying offer to Woodruff (lat) on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Woodruff declined his $20 million mutual option earlier this week, and it's possible the veteran right-hander could do the same to Thursday's qualifying offer in search of a multi-year deal. Woodruff suffered a lat injury in late September, but he's expected to be a full-go for spring training. He logged a 3.20 ERA and an 83:14 K:BB across 64.2 innings spanning 12 starts in 2025.
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Brandon Woodruff: Passes on mutual option
Rotowire
Woodruff (lat) became a free agent Monday after declining his $20 million mutual option for 2026, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
The option came with a $10 million buyout, leaving Woodruff with an easy decision to decline it. Woodruff posted a 3.20 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 83:14 K:BB over 64.2 innings covering 12 regular-season starts in 2025 before going down with a right lat strain in late September. He's expected to be ready for spring training. The right-hander will turn 33 in February and represents a high-risk, high-reward option on the free-agent market.
