Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester is done for the season, with the club announcing Thursday that he will undergo thoracic outlet decompression surgery and face an estimated eight to ten months on the shelf. The timeline puts his return penciled in more for next spring’s rotation battle than anything in 2025.
The operation is scheduled for Monday in Dallas and will be performed by Dr. Gregory Pearl. The procedure will include removal of the first upper rib on Priester’s right side, according to Shaw Local. Priester said the plan is to “get surgery and make sure we clean this up,” adding that he hopes to compete for a rotation spot next spring. Shaw Local reports the club is working off an eight to ten month recovery window.
Rehab setbacks and next steps
Before opting for surgery, the Brewers shuffled Priester’s rehab assignments in an effort to find answers. He bounced between Triple-A Nashville, High-A Wisconsin and the team’s Arizona complex as the organization tried to get his command back in line. After continued struggles, the Brewers brought him back to Milwaukee on June 12 to determine next steps. The move to the Arizona Complex League was detailed by MLB Trade Rumors.
Control problems in rehab
The on-field numbers during Priester’s rehab were alarming. Across multiple minor league outings he posted a 15.75 ERA and 2.88 WHIP in 16 innings, walking 24 and striking out 18 while also hitting four batters and uncorking six wild pitches, per Shaw Local. Team officials said they tried non-surgical options before deciding surgery was the only realistic path back.
What It Means For The Rotation
Priester was a key piece of Milwaukee’s 2025 rotation, going 13-2 with a 3.32 ERA across 29 appearances, according to his player page at MLB.com. Losing that kind of production strips a proven mid-rotation arm from an already carefully managed staff.
There is at least a recent example of a successful return from a similar procedure. Phillies ace Zack Wheeler underwent thoracic outlet decompression last September and was back on the mound the following spring, as detailed by MLB.com. The Brewers, meanwhile, will lean more heavily on Jacob Misiorowski and newcomer Kyle Harrison as they navigate innings through the summer.
Outlook and recovery
Thoracic outlet decompression, which can include scalene muscle release and first-rib resection, is used when nerves or blood vessels between the collarbone and first rib are compressed. Treatment options range from physical therapy to surgery, according to the Mayo Clinic. Recovery typically involves months of progressive rehab and a cautious ramp back to throwing, which is reflected in Priester’s eight to ten month estimate.
For now, both Priester and the Brewers are framing the decision as a long-term investment, with the priority on a full recovery rather than a rushed comeback that could jeopardize his future in the rotation.
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