Brandon Woodruff to Undergo Second Shoulder Surgery After 2.98 ERA Start

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff announced he will undergo a second anterior capsule surgery on his right shoulder, likely ending his 2026 campaign.

MILWAUKEE — Brandon Woodruff announced Saturday he will undergo anterior capsule surgery on his right shoulder, a procedure that likely concludes a season where he posted a 2.98 ERA and 0.84 WHIP across nine starts. The 33-year-old right-hander recorded 47 strikeouts in 45⅓ innings during the 2026 campaign before a drop in velocity during a July 4 outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks forced his exit. Following that start, the Milwaukee Brewers placed him on the shorter-term inactive roster on July 5, later shifting him to the 60-day emergency designation on July 12. This medical intervention marks the second time he will undergo this specific repair, having previously had the same operation following the 2023 season.

Medical History and Recovery Timeline

Woodruff shared the news with reporters prior to a Saturday afternoon matchup against the Miami Marlins, coinciding with a promotional giveaway of his bobbleheads to fans at the stadium. While the pitcher declined to provide a definitive rehab schedule, his previous recovery from the October 2023 surgery required approximately 20 months before he returned to a major league mound. The two-time All-Star did not pitch at all during the 2024 season while recovering. Earlier this year in May, Dr. Keith Meister performed a minor procedure to remove a cyst from Woodruff’s shoulder, an injury that sidelined the starter for nearly two months. Meister, who handled the 2023 repair, has continued working with the pitcher throughout this latest setback.

Impact on the Brewers Rotation

The loss of Woodruff impacts a Milwaukee pitching staff that entered Saturday with a 3.48 ERA, the second-best mark in MLB behind the New York Yankees. Manager Pat Murphy described the situation as a "gut punch," noting the difficulty of returning from this specific shoulder ailment. The Brewers' rotation depth has been further tested by the loss of left-hander Kyle Harrison, who was sidelined on July 11 due to tightness in his throwing forearm. Harrison, a standout in the first half of the season, is currently following a throwing program while awaiting results from a recent MRI.

Roster Moves and Trade Acquisitions

To address the depleted rotation, the Brewers acquired right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. and left-hander Colton Gordon from the Houston Astros on Wednesday in exchange for outfield prospect Jadyn Fielder. On Friday, the club reinstated McCullers to the active roster. The veteran right-hander is slated to begin his tenure in Milwaukee pitching out of the bullpen. To make room for this addition, the Brewers optioned reliever Jared Koenig to Triple-A Nashville.

Woodruff, who went 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 12 starts during his 2025 return before a lat strain sidelined him for the postseason, expressed a commitment to returning to the mound. He stated his intention is to rehab with the goal of pitching again, noting that his previous experience with the recovery process provides him with a necessary perspective for the challenges ahead. The Brewers diagnosed a new injury to the anterior capsule immediately following his removal from the Arizona game.