Brandon Woodruff, a pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, won’t be playing this season due to shoulder surgery.
Woodruff had surgery in October, and the Brewers anticipated he might miss most or all of the season. He confirmed to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he won’t be pitching this year and aims to return in 2025.
“I believe I’ll be in the best shape of my career because I’ll have a year to prepare my body for pitching,” Woodruff stated.
Last year, despite missing four months due to a shoulder strain, he had a successful season, with a 5-1 record and a 2.28 ERA in 11 starts. However, he injured his shoulder again late in the season, causing him to miss the Brewers’ NL Wild Card series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Since Woodruff’s contract with the Brewers ended after the 2024 season and he was expected to be injured for much of that year, the team didn’t offer him a contract in November, making him a free agent.
In February, Woodruff signed a new contract with the Brewers worth $17.5 million over two years, with an option for the 2026 season. He will receive $2.5 million this year and $5 million in 2025. The contract also includes a $20 million mutual option for 2026, with a $10 million buyout.
Woodruff has played his entire career with the Brewers, with a record of 46-26, a 3.10 ERA, and 788 strikeouts in 680 1/3 innings.
With Woodruff out for the season, the Brewers will be missing one of their key starting pitchers. Corbin Burnes, the 2021 Cy Young Award winner, was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. Freddy Peralta, another All-Star pitcher, will start for the Brewers in their season opener against the New York Mets.
