Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Brewers Brandon Woodruff injured list news emerged on Friday after Milwaukee placed the right hand pitcher on the 10 day IL with right shoulder inflammation. The move followed a worrying early exit against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where Woodruff’s fastball velocity dropped sharply before he was pulled in the second inning. The development matters because Milwaukee remains in the National League Central race, sitting 3.5 games behind the Cincinnati Reds entering Friday’s games.
Woodruff’s start on Thursday lasted just six batters. More concerning than the early exit was the significant dip in velocity. His fastball averaged 85.4 miles per hour and topped out at 86.9, well below his season average of 92.5 over his first five outings.
That sudden decline immediately raised concern inside the Brewers organisation and led to further evaluation after the game.
Woodruff describes arm issue after MRI results
Following the game, Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Woodruff reported that his arm felt “dead” and that he could not generate normal velocity. However, at that stage the pitcher did not believe he was dealing with a serious injury.
“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.”
An MRI later confirmed right shoulder inflammation. While the diagnosis requires a stint on the injured list, Woodruff suggested the outlook is relatively positive.
“I went out yesterday 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.”
“But after talking with our staff and Dr. Keith Meister, my surgeon, it should be a pretty minimum stint here, which is good news.”
Velocity drop raises immediate concern
The most striking aspect of Woodruff’s start was the drop in fastball speed.
He threw just 10 four seam fastballs during his brief outing. Only two of those reached above 86 miles per hour, both barely touching 86.8 and 86.9.
That is a significant contrast to his usual power profile, where his fastball regularly sits in the low 90s and forms the foundation of his pitching approach.
The early data suggested something was not functioning normally, even before the medical confirmation of inflammation.
Injury history adds context
The Brewers will proceed cautiously given Woodruff’s recent injury history.
The 33 year old missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery in 2023. That procedure was performed by Dr Keith Meister, a well known orthopedic specialist who also serves as head physician for the Texas Rangers.
Last season, Woodruff returned to pitch 64 and two thirds innings across 12 starts. He posted a 3.20 earned run average, recorded a 7 and 2 win loss record and struck out 83 batters before a lat strain ended his year prematurely in September.
Those setbacks make Milwaukee’s current approach more conservative, particularly with shoulder related issues.
Brewers turn attention to rotation depth
Milwaukee enters Friday’s matchup against the Washington Nationals with a 16 and 14 record. The club sits fourth in the National League Central but remains within striking distance of the division lead.
Woodruff’s absence places additional pressure on a rotation that has already had to manage workload carefully through the opening month of the season.
The Brewers are expected to rely on internal depth options while Woodruff recovers, with the organisation hopeful that the inflammation will respond quickly to treatment.
Manager Pat Murphy has already indicated the priority is caution rather than urgency, particularly given the unusual nature of the velocity drop during his last outing.
Optimism remains around short absence
Despite the concern created by the sudden decline in velocity, both Woodruff and the Brewers have expressed cautious optimism about the recovery timeline.
The pitcher’s comments suggested he does not expect an extended absence, and the imaging results supported a relatively manageable diagnosis.
Still, Milwaukee will closely monitor his progress before considering a return to the mound.
For now, the focus shifts to stabilising the rotation while one of its most important starters works through a shoulder issue that surfaced in a highly unusual way.