Brandon Woodruff to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery With 2028 Return Projected

Surgery and Long-Term Recovery Timeline

For the second time in three years, Brandon Woodruff faces a lengthy recovery process following a significant shoulder injury. That initial surgery sidelined him for the entire 2024 campaign.

While Woodruff has expressed a desire to pitch again, the medical outlook suggests a difficult road ahead. Despite the severity of the injury, Woodruff remains determined. I’ll have Woody handle all this with you on Sunday, manager Pat Murphy told reporters, But I’m going to let Woody get specific with you and let him be the one to announce what he wants to announce in that regard.

The 2026 Season and Recent Injury Progression

Woodruff’s 2026 campaign was marked by recurring discomfort. He was removed from his July 4 start against the Arizona Diamondbacks after experiencing a noticeable drop in velocity. According to MLB.com, he was placed on the 15-day injured list the following day and transitioned to the 60-day injured list on Sunday, signaling the gravity of the diagnosis.

Earlier in the season, Woodruff had dealt with a cyst in his shoulder, which required a minor drainage procedure performed by Dr. Keith Meister—the same surgeon who handled his 2023 anterior capsule reconstruction. While the initial May procedure allowed him to return to action, the most recent imaging confirmed new structural damage to the capsule. Despite the limited workload, Woodruff maintained impressive efficiency, posting a 2.98 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP across nine starts.

Impact on the Brewers’ Rotation and Payroll

The loss of a franchise mainstay presents a significant challenge for the National League Central-leading Brewers. The situation is compounded by existing rotation concerns, including Quinn Priester’s season-ending thoracic outlet surgery and left-hander Kyle Harrison’s ongoing recovery from forearm tightness.

Financial considerations also remain central to Woodruff’s future with the club. After rejecting a mutual option last year, Woodruff accepted a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer to return to Milwaukee. His career in Milwaukee, spanning parts of nine seasons, includes a 55-30 record and the lowest ERA in franchise history for pitchers with at least 500 innings.

Clubhouse Reaction and Future Uncertainty

Manager Pat Murphy emphasized the emotional toll of the news, noting that Woodruff’s influence extends well beyond his on-field performance. It’s extremely painful to even think about, knowing what he meant in this organization and knowing what he meant to this team, Murphy stated. The team also received personal news during the same week, as Woodruff and his wife, Jonie, welcomed their third child, Walker, on July 15.

With the team holding a lead in the division, the priority remains stabilizing the rotation for the postseason. For Woodruff, the focus shifts to a long-term rehabilitation process, with the veteran expressing a commitment to his professional future: attack this rehab with the goal in mind of pitching again.