The Milwaukee Brewers have placed starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff on the 10-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation, the team announced Friday. The move comes after a concerning outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday, when Woodruff was pulled in the second inning after facing just six batters.
What raised immediate red flags was a significant drop in velocity. Woodruff’s fastball averaged just 85.4 mph and topped out at 86.9 mph—a stark contrast to the 92.5 mph average he posted over his first five starts this season. For a pitcher who relies on power, that kind of dip is hard to ignore.
Following the game, Brewers manager Pat Murphy told reporters that Woodruff described his arm as feeling “dead” and unable to generate higher velocity, though the pitcher didn’t initially believe he was injured. “I think we just have to be really cautious here,” Murphy said. “We’re going to get him checked out. We’re going to get him tested.”
Fortunately for Brewers fans, the news could have been much worse. An MRI revealed inflammation in Woodruff’s right shoulder, but no structural damage. Speaking to reporters Friday, the 33-year-old right-hander sounded optimistic. “I went out [Thursday] and honestly, I felt good,” Woodruff said. “Nothing alarmed me and I went out for my start, and the ball just wasn’t coming out. A little inflammation in there from the image.”
He added that after consulting with the team’s medical staff and Dr. Keith Meister—the renowned orthopedic surgeon who previously operated on his shoulder—the expectation is for a short stint on the IL. “It should be a pretty minimum stint here, which is good news,” Woodruff said.
This is a welcome development given Woodruff’s injury history. He underwent major shoulder surgery in 2023, performed by Meister, which sidelined him for the entire 2024 season. Last year, he also dealt with a right lat strain that required additional time on the IL. For a pitcher who has battled back from significant setbacks, a brief inflammation issue feels like a manageable hurdle.
The Brewers will look to their bullpen and depth starters to cover Woodruff’s spot in the rotation while he rests and recovers. If all goes as planned, fans could see the two-time All-Star back on the mound before the month is out, firing fastballs with his usual zip.