Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff Avoids Surgery; All-Star Eyes Late 2026 Return

Two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff will begin a throwing progression Wednesday after scans revealed improvement in his right shoulder, negating the need for surgery.

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff confirmed Saturday that his latest right shoulder injury will not require surgical intervention, a significant reversal from his mid-July plan to undergo anterior capsule surgery. The 33-year-old pitcher, who holds the best ERA in franchise history at 3.10 for players with at least 500 innings, is scheduled to begin a throwing progression by playing catch this Wednesday. This medical update follows a consultation with Dr. Keith Meister, the surgeon who performed Woodruff’s previous shoulder procedure in October 2023.

Woodruff is currently 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA across nine starts this season. His 2026 campaign was interrupted in early May when a drop in velocity forced him out of a game during the second inning. Although he returned to the mound in late June, a subsequent velocity dip during a July 4 start against the Arizona Diamondbacks sidelined him indefinitely. The two-time All-Star is playing under a $22.025 million qualifying offer this year, having opted to remain in Milwaukee rather than testing free agency.

Medical Consultation and Recovery Timeline

Recent imaging taken four weeks after the initial injury showed enough improvement for Dr. Meister to recommend a non-surgical path. This marks a major shift for Woodruff, who previously expected to miss the remainder of 2026 and potentially most of the 2027 season. Following his October 2023 surgery, the right-hander did not return to Major League action until July 2025. By avoiding a second operation, Woodruff significantly shortens his projected rehabilitation window, though manager Pat Murphy described the chances of a 2026 return as a "low possibility."

Murphy noted that while the prospect remains unlikely, the team will explore every avenue to make the pitcher available for the current season. The manager emphasized that the progression back to the mound involves inherent risks, especially since Woodruff has not picked up a baseball since his July 4 appearance. The pitcher expressed gratitude for the news, noting that he was fully prepared to undergo surgery as recently as last month to ensure he could return by late 2027.

Roster Impacts and Sal Frelick Update

In addition to the pitching news, the Brewers expect outfielder Sal Frelick to rejoin the active roster for the upcoming series against the New York Mets starting Tuesday. Frelick has been sidelined since July 17 with a right shoulder strain. Through 90 games this season, the outfielder is batting .236 with four home runs, 34 RBIs, and six stolen bases. His return provides a defensive and offensive boost as Milwaukee prepares for their late-season push.

Historical Context of Woodruff’s Tenure

Woodruff has spent the entirety of his professional career with the Milwaukee organization. His record-setting 3.10 career ERA underscores his value to a rotation that has dealt with multiple arm issues over the past two years. Before the Brewers faced the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, Murphy reiterated that the team is willing to "go with" the possibility of a return, however slight it may be. The upcoming throwing session on Wednesday serves as the first physical test for Woodruff’s shoulder since the injury was diagnosed. If he successfully navigates the progression without setbacks, he could provide a late-season reinforcement for the Milwaukee pitching staff.