Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff Avoids Shoulder Surgery, Eyes Return
Brandon Woodruff hurt his shoulder while pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers.
He first thought he would need surgery, but new scans showed that his shoulder was improving.
A doctor recommended that he avoid surgery this time.
Woodruff will start playing catch Wednesday to see how his arm responds.
This could give him a small chance to pitch again this season.
However, he has not thrown a baseball recently, so his return is still uncertain.
The Brewers will watch his progress and try to keep him safe.
Woodruff has a 2.98 ERA in nine starts this year.
Sal Frelick, another Brewers player, is expected to return from a shoulder strain Tuesday.
Brandon Woodruff said his latest shoulder injury will not require surgery after follow-up scans showed improvement.
The Brewers said Woodruff could possibly pitch again this season, though manager Pat Murphy called the chance low.
Woodruff plans to begin throwing by playing catch Wednesday, starting a gradual progression.
The 33-year-old right-hander is 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA in nine starts this season.
Outfielder Sal Frelick is expected to return against the New York Mets after missing time with a shoulder strain.
- Who
- Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff, manager Pat Murphy, and doctor Keith Meister are central to the decision; outfielder Sal Frelick is also mentioned.
- What
- Woodruff will avoid shoulder surgery and begin a throwing progression, while Frelick is expected to return from a shoulder strain.
- When
- The update was provided Saturday; Woodruff plans to play catch Wednesday, and Frelick is expected back Tuesday.
- Where
- The developments concern the Milwaukee Brewers; Frelick is expected to return during the series with the New York Mets.
- Why
- Follow-up scans taken four weeks after Woodruff’s injury showed improvement, leading to a recommendation that surgery was unnecessary.
Cautious Outlook
Possibility of a Return
Woodruff’s 2026 availability
Cautious Outlook
Pat Murphy emphasized that Woodruff has not yet picked up a ball and must complete a progression while managing the risks of returning.
Possibility of a Return
Murphy said there is still a low possibility that Woodruff could pitch again this season, and the non-surgical plan allows that possibility to remain open.
Treatment approach
Cautious Outlook
Woodruff initially planned to have surgery as soon as possible, partly to improve his chances of returning by late in the 2027 season.
Possibility of a Return
After scans showed improvement, Keith Meister recommended that Woodruff avoid surgery, which should allow a sooner potential return than his previous recovery.
- Player
- Brandon Woodruff
- Surgery decision
- Woodruff said surgery is not needed for his latest shoulder injury.
- Throwing plan
- He plans to play catch Wednesday to begin a throwing progression.
- 2026 season statistics
- Woodruff is 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA in nine starts.
- Career note
- His 3.10 ERA is the best in Brewers franchise history among pitchers with at least 500 innings for the team.
- Potential return
- Pat Murphy said there is a low possibility Woodruff could pitch again this season.
- Other injury update
- Sal Frelick is expected to return for the Brewers’ series with the New York Mets beginning Tuesday.