Milwaukee Brewers right‑hander Brandon Woodruff announced on Tuesday that recent imaging has revealed sufficient healing in his shoulder to forego the anterior capsule surgery that was originally slated for mid‑July.
The decision came after Dr. Keith Meister, the team’s medical director, recommended a conservative approach, citing the pitcher’s positive response to rest and rehabilitation.
A pivotal moment for the rotation
Woodruff, a two‑time All‑Star and the franchise’s all‑time leader among starters with at least 500 innings, boasts a career‑best 3.10 ERA, a statistic that helped him secure a $22.025 million qualifying offer and avoid free agency.
The injury forced the Brewers to place him on the injured list in early May after a noticeable dip in velocity during a July 4 start at Arizona, a setback that had threatened to derail his season.
Despite the setback, the pitcher has been gradually rebuilding his workload, with plans to resume throwing on Wednesday and a realistic target of returning to the rotation before the season’s final stretch.
Pat Murphy, the Brewers’ manager, emphasized that Woodruff’s potential return could stabilize a rotation that has struggled with inconsistency, especially as the team prepares for a pivotal series against the New York Mets.
Outfielder Sal Frelick, who has been sidelined by a right shoulder strain, is expected to be activated for the upcoming Mets series, bringing a .236 batting average, four home runs, 34 RBIs and six stolen bases to the lineup.
Frelick’s impending activation not only adds depth to the outfield but also reinforces the club’s depth chart as it pushes for a postseason berth, making the next few weeks critical for Milwaukee’s ambitions.