​ST. LOUIS (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff was diagnosed on Wednesday with another injury to his troublesome right shoulder after exiting early from his most recent start and later being placed back on the injured list. An MRI confirmed a fresh issue to his anterior capsule, the area that required surgical repair following the 2023 season. The Brewers said Woodruff would seek a second opinion from surgeon Dr. Keith Meister after an initial diagnosis of inflammation. The 33-year-old experienced a noticeable drop in velocity during Saturday’s game in Arizona and was pulled in the fourth inning of his third start since returning from the injured list, during which he had spent nearly two months sidelined after a minor procedure to remove a cyst.
Woodruff, who carries a 2.98 ERA over nine starts this season, did not pitch at all in 2024. He made a comeback midway through last season and performed well, but a lat muscle strain kept him from appearing in the postseason. “It’s tough, but he’s working hard to stay strong and to stay positive,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said to reporters in St. Louis before the game. “He was so good when he was pitching. He has a way of making the whole room feel calmer.”
The latest setback comes as the Brewers navigate a challenging stretch with their rotation and health questions looming over Woodruff’s availability. The team will monitor his progress as doctors review the imaging and determine the best path forward, including potential options with Meister and any further diagnostic work that may be required.