BREAKING: The Milwaukee Brewers have placed pitcher Brandon Woodruff on the 15-day injured list due to a right lat strain, casting serious doubt on his playoff availability. This urgent update comes just as the Brewers, who currently hold the best record in baseball, prepare for the postseason.
Woodruff’s injury was confirmed shortly after he reported discomfort in his triceps during a bullpen session on Saturday. An evaluation pinpointed the issue to his lat muscle in the upper back. “This is a side effect of getting back into doing this at a high level,” Woodruff stated in the Brewers’ dugout. “Is this career-ending? No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just [bad] timing.”
Just four days prior, the team also placed left-hander José Quintana on the 15-day IL with a left calf strain, leaving the Brewers with significant uncertainty in their playoff rotation. Fans and analysts alike are now questioning how the team will organize its pitching staff beyond Freddy Peralta and Quinn Priester.
Since returning from an injury in mid-August, rookie sensation Jacob Misiorowski has struggled, allowing 21 runs in 30.1 innings. Manager Pat Murphy acknowledged the shifting dynamics, saying, “Everybody that’s pitched well is a factor. How we line it up and how we end up going with it won’t be too much of a surprise to anybody.”
In a bid to fill the gap left by Woodruff, the Brewers recalled left-hander Robert Gasser to start the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. Woodruff’s IL move has been made retroactive to Thursday, adding urgency to the Brewers’ playoff preparations.
Murphy also mentioned that closer Trevor Megill, who has been sidelined since late August with a right flexor strain, may return for the season finale if his upcoming bullpen sessions go well.
Woodruff, 32, had a challenging year, having missed all of last season after surgery to repair an anterior capsule tear. Since returning in July, he has posted a 7-2 record over 12 starts. Despite his current setback, he expressed a positive outlook on his season performance, stating, “The biggest goal of mine was to finish the year healthy.” He remained hopeful about the Brewers’ World Series aspirations, noting, “Hopefully we win the World Series, and now it’s a month away.”
While he has not yet consulted with Dr. Keith Meister, who performed his shoulder surgery, Woodruff is focusing on a step-by-step recovery. “The biggest thing is just kind of being here where my feet are,” he said. “I can’t comment on whether it’s going to end the season or not.”
UPDATE: Woodruff is scheduled to visit a specialist in St. Louis today to further assess his injury. Murphy emphasized the silver lining, saying, “All indications are it’s not the shoulder, and that’s a good thing.” However, the emotional toll is palpable, as both Woodruff and the team face a critical moment in their playoff journey.
As the Brewers navigate these challenges, fans will be closely watching for updates on Woodruff and the pitching rotation. The postseason is just around the corner, and the stakes have never been higher.