Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff is back on the injured list after imaging revealed fresh damage to the front of his right anterior shoulder capsule. The team placed the 33-year-old on the 15-day injured list following his July 4 start, when a sudden dip in his velocity raised red flags. Woodruff is seeking a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister, who previously operated on the same shoulder.
Imaging Shows New Anterior-Capsule Injury
Club testing in St. Louis identified a new tear in Woodruff's right anterior shoulder capsule, and he will consult with Dr. Meister for further evaluation, as first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The findings followed a bout of discomfort during a start earlier in the week that prompted additional imaging at the team facilities.
Left July 4 Start After Sudden Velocity Drop
Woodruff exited his July 4 outing in Phoenix when his fastball lost its usual life, and the Brewers moved quickly, placing him on the 15-day injured list the next day. In a corresponding move, the club recalled left-hander Drew Rom from Triple-A Nashville, according to the Associated Press via the Washington Post.
Where He Stood This Season
Before this latest setback, Woodruff had been dealing for Milwaukee. He posted a 2.98 ERA over 45 1/3 innings with a 0.84 WHIP and 47 strikeouts, per MLB.com. He had only recently returned from an earlier shutdown and on June 22 turned in a six-inning, one-hit, 10-strikeout gem in Cincinnati that looked every bit like a full-strength return.
What A Repeat Surgery Would Mean
If Woodruff ultimately needs another surgical repair, he could be facing a long road back. A 2023 case series in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine reported that elite pitchers who underwent arthroscopic capsular repair often required more than a year before returning to competitive play. Woodruff previously had anterior-capsule surgery in October 2023, a procedure that sidelined him for an extended stretch, according to reporting at the time.
Brewers' Short-Term Outlook
Manager Pat Murphy said Woodruff is trying "to be strong and look for the positive" while he awaits the second opinion, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. For now, the Brewers plan to reshuffle their rotation and lean on organizational depth while they wait for clarity on Woodruff's status.
Next Steps
Woodruff's timeline hinges on the results of Dr. Meister's evaluation and any follow-up imaging the pitcher undergoes. The Brewers say they will provide updates as they come, with official word on his status and any roster moves to be announced through team channels, on MLB.com, and through local coverage.
