Woodruff (shoulder) became a free agent Friday after being non-tendered by the Brewers, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Woodruff is expected to miss the entire 2024 campaign following October surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder. He's been a true ace when healthy, but Milwaukee couldn't justify paying his salary -- projected at around $11.6 million in his final year of arbitration -- while he potentially spends all of next season in rehab mode.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Likely out for 2024
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Woodruff underwent surgery Friday to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Three days after general manager Matt Arnold expressed optimism regarding the right-hander's status for 2024, the Brewers now expect him to miss most if not all of next season. Woodruff missed four months of the 2023 season due to shoulder issues, and his capsular injury also kept him out of the NL Wild Card Series against the Diamondbacks. He will be entering his final year of team control in 2024, though his resume could still encourage Milwaukee to sign him to a long-term contract and keep him around for his return to the mound. Woodruff will turn 31 years old before the start of the 2024 campaign.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: 'Optimistic' about 2024 readiness
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Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said Tuesday that the team is "optimistic" regarding the availability of Woodruff (shoulder) for next season, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.
Woodruff suffered a right shoulder capsular injury during his final start of the regular season, keeping him from making an appearance during the Brewers' NL Wild Card Series loss to the Diamondbacks. He will receive a second opinion on the shoulder this week, but the team seems confident after the initial diagnosis that it won't keep the right-hander from being ready for the start of the 2024 campaign. Woodruff was limited to 11 starts this season due to shoulder issues but was excellent when healthy, holding a 2.28 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 74:15 K:BB over 67 innings. He will be eligible for arbitration for a final time this winter before entering his walk year.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Could miss playoffs due to shoulder
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Manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Woodruff is tending to a right shoulder capsular injury and will be out for the Brewers' wild-card round series with the Diamondbacks, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. "His availability for the postseason is up in the air at this point," Counsell added.
Woodruff appeared to be lined up to start Game 2 of the series Wednesday, but those plans will be scrapped after the shoulder issue cropped up following his final regular-season appearance Sept. 23. The right-hander, who already missed four months earlier in the campaign with a Grade 2 subscapular strain, will get a second opinion later this week, but his chances of pitching in the postseason don't seem promising even if the Brewers make a deep run, per Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Freddy Peralta now becomes the most likely candidate to start Game 2 after Corbin Burnes takes the hill for Game 1 on Tuesday.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: No-decision against Marlins
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Woodruff came away with a no-decision Saturday in the Brewers' 5-4 loss to the Marlins, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.
A three-run shot by Jake Burger in the first inning accounted for most of the damage off Woodruff, but the right-hander still left the mound having generating 29 called or swinging strikes among his 87 pitches. He saw his quality start streak end at five. Since returning to the rotation in early August, Woodruff has posted a 2.59 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 62:12 K:BB through 55.2 innings. With Milwaukee having already clinched the NL Central title, he could be headed for a reduced workload in his final regular-season start next weekend, likely to come at home against the Cubs.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Earns another quality start
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Woodruff did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and zero walks over six innings against Washington. He struck out six.
A two-out solo homer by Luis Garcia in the second inning was the only blemish to Woodruff's line, as the hurler allowed only two other baserunners in his six innings. However, an anemic Brewers offense was able to manufacture just one run in support of Woodruff, who was looking for his sixth win of the season in 10 starts. It was Woodruff's fifth consecutive quality start, and he now holds an ERA of 1.06 with 38 strikeouts in 34 innings over that stretch. He'll look continue his hot streak in his next start, currently scheduled to take place in Miami over the weekend.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Shuts out Marlins
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Woodruff improved to 5-1 on the season in Monday's 12-0 win over the Marlins after striking out seven while allowing six hits and a walk in a complete-game shutout.
Woodruff didn't allow a single extra-base hit and rarely found himself in much danger during the dominant outing. He tossed 77 of 106 pitches for strikes en route to his first career MLB shutout and first complete game since 2020. He's allowed just three runs over his last 28 innings, lowering his season ERA to 1.93 across 56 frames. Woodruff has given up fewer than three runs in eight of his nine starts this year. His next outing is projected to come at home against the Nationals this weekend.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Strikes out eight in no-decision
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Woodruff did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk over six innings against the Cubs. He struck out eight.
After the Cubs scored twice in the opening frame, Woodruff rebounded to blank Chicago over his final five frames, allowing just one additional hit. In five starts since returning from a four-month IL stint, Woodruff's pitched to a 3.45 ERA while logging 37 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. Overall, he's 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 49:10 K:BB across seven starts (40 innings) this season. Woodruff currently lines up for a road matchup with the Pirates in his next outing.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Punches out 11
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Woodruff (3-1) yielded one run on three hits and three walks over six innings Friday, striking out 11 and earning a victory over San Diego.
Woodruff dominated with his first double-digit strikeout performance of the season Friday. The lone blemish on his line was Manny Machado's solo shot in the fourth inning, and Woodruff ended his outing with four straight punchouts. He lowered his season ERA to 2.65 and has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his six appearances in 2023. His next start is projected to come on the road against the Cubs next week.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Allows four runs in no decision
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Woodruff did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Rangers. He struck out four.
Following a scoreless three innings to start the night, Woodruff was undone by the long ball in the fourth. Nathaniel Lowe tagged him with a two-run blast, followed a couple batters later by a solo shot from Mitch Garver. Woodruff still pitched into the sixth, allowing a fourth run when Corey Seager came around to score following a leadoff double, and he ultimately escaped with a no decision. Although the four runs were his most allowed all season, the 92 pitches thrown represent Woodruff's highest total since returning from a shoulder injury Aug. 6. His next start is projected to be a home matchup against the Padres next weekend.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Strikes out nine in tough-luck loss
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Woodruff (1-1) was handed the loss Sunday against the Pirates after allowing two runs on four hits while striking out nine over five innings.
Woodruff was impressive overall in his return to the mound for the first time since April 7. While he limited the Pirates to just four hits, three of the four hits went for extra bases including two solo home runs. Woodruff reached 97 mph with his fastball and sinker and looked like he hadn't missed a beat. The 30-year-old reached 85 pitches and threw well enough for a win, but the Brewers' bats were quieted. Woodruff will look to change his luck when he matches up against the White Sox next weekend.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Activated for Sunday's start
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Woodruff (shoulder) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list ahead of his start against the Pirates on Sunday.
The 30-year-old has been sidelined by a Grade 2 subscapular strain since early April but will rejoin Milwaukee's rotation for Sunday's series finale versus Pittsburgh. Woodruff threw 72 pitches during his final rehab outing with Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, so he'll likely face some workload limitations in his first start or two back in the big leagues.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Cleared to return Sunday
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Woodruff (shoulder) is scheduled to return to the Brewers' rotation Sunday against the Pirates, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Woodruff posted an encouraging 3.09 ERA and 11:2 K:BB over 11.2 innings during his three-start minor league rehab assignment between High-A Wisconsin and Triple-A Nashville. He got up to 72 pitches Tuesday in his final outing on the farm and might be able to approach 85-to-90 pitches in his return to Milwaukee. The 30-year-old right-hander has been sidelined since mid-April because of a Grade 2 subscapular strain.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Next rehab start coming Tuesday
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Woodruff (shoulder) confirmed that he'll make his next rehab start Tuesday at Triple-A Nashville, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
After two rehab starts at High-A Wisconsin, Woodruff will transfer his assignment to the Brewers' top affiliate for what could be his final outing on the farm before he makes his return from the 60-day injured list. In his most recent start for Wisconsin on Thursday, he tossed four innings and 52 pitches. If he can cover five innings and push his pitch count into the 60-to-70 range Tuesday, the Brewers may be comfortable installing the right-hander back in the big-league rotation as soon as Aug. 7. Woodruff has been on the shelf since mid-April with a Grade 2 subscapular strain.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Works four innings
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Woodruff (shoulder) completed four innings, allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out three in a rehab outing with High-A Wisconsin on Thursday.
Woodruff made his second rehab appearance and increased his workload to 52 pitches. He'll likely need one more start prior to being activated, keeping him in line to return in early August.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Excellent in rehab debut
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Woodruff (shoulder) struck out four batters over three scoreless innings in his rehab debut Saturday with High-A Wisconsin.
Woodruff scattered two hits and threw 27 of his 32 pitches for strikes in a highly encouraging outing against the High-A affiliate of the Reds. He's been sidelined since mid-April with a Grade 2 subscapular strain and still needs to get stretched out with a few more minor-league starts, but the 30-year-old right-hander figures to return to the Brewers' rotation by mid-August if he can avoid setbacks.
Woodruff (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin on Saturday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Woodruff has been on the injured list since mid-April, and he'll now begin ramping up toward a return to the Brewers' rotation. The 30-year-old righty has dealt with recovery issues in between bullpen sessions, but he reportedly felt "great" after his latest session Thursday and remains on track to return around mid-August.
Woodruff (shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Sunday with no issues and is scheduled for another session Thursday, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.
The right-hander recently had his throwing program delayed due to less-than-ideal progress in his recovery between sessions, but his return to the mound Sunday was a success. Woodruff will likely need a few more bullpen sessions before being cleared to face live batters and eventually progressing to a minor-league rehab assignment.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Nearing mound workouts
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Woodruff (shoulder) is aiming to throw a bullpen session this weekend, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Woodruff had to put a pause on his throwing program last week, but he's made it through a couple of successful flat-ground workouts over the last few days and is about ready to get back on a mound. Sidelined since April 11 due to a Grade 2 subscapular strain, the 30-year-old ace might have a shot to return to the Brewers' rotation around late July or early August if he is able to avoid further setbacks. Woodruff has logged only two major-league starts this season.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Next bullpen session delayed
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Woodruff (shoulder) will delay his next bullpen session as he hasn't been recovering as well as the Brewers would like, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Woodruff made just two starts into the season before suffering a shoulder strain, which wound up being serious enough for him to require a trip to the 60-day injured list. He's been throwing since late May and has been throwing bullpens since mid-June, but the Brewers are seemingly unhappy with his progress. The team is characterizing his latest delay as merely an example of caution, but it's hard not to worry about even a minor setback when it comes to a pitcher's shoulder. The Brewers hope he'll get back on a mound early next week.
