Brewers Place Brandon Woodruff on IL with Shoulder Inflammation

Brandon Woodruff’s early exit during Thursday’s game raised immediate concerns, and the Milwaukee Brewers confirmed those fears on Friday. After leaving the mound in the second inning with noticeably diminished velocity—his fastball clocking in at just 85 MPH compared to his season average of 92.5 MPH—Woodruff has officially been placed on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. Manager Pat Murphy had hinted at the possibility of an IL stint, but the team’s announcement made it clear that Woodruff’s health is the priority.

The Brewers will now navigate their rotation without Woodruff, who had been a key player despite not fully regaining his pre-2023 velocity. This season, he showed flashes of brilliance, reaching speeds up to 96 MPH and posting a commendable 3.60 ERA over 30 innings across six starts, striking out 25 batters and walking just seven. However, he acknowledged that while there is no structural damage, he still needs to manage the inflammation and is hopeful for a minimal IL stint.

In a move to bolster their pitching staff, the Brewers recalled reliever Easton McGee from Triple-A Nashville to take Woodruff’s spot on the roster. McGee has already seen time in the majors this season and will help shore up a bullpen that was taxed following Woodruff’s short outing. Shane Drohan stepped up with four solid innings in relief during that game, but his extended workload means he won’t be available for a few days.

As the Brewers prepare for Woodruff’s next scheduled turn in the rotation on Tuesday, the decision on who will take the mound remains uncertain. Drohan is a potential candidate given his recent performance, but the team also has options in Coleman Crow and Robert Gasser, both of whom pitched in a doubleheader for Nashville on Thursday and would be on regular rest. There’s also Logan Henderson, who has been impressive this season with a 1.02 ERA and is slated to start for Nashville on Sunday.

While the Brewers possess the depth to cope with Woodruff’s absence, the emotional impact of losing their ace cannot be understated. Woodruff’s presence in the rotation is significant; his return last year sparked a phenomenal 30-4 run for the team. He is not only a leader on the field but also a respected figure in the clubhouse, making this a tough blow for the Brewers as they strive to maintain their competitive edge.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.