Milwaukee Brewers Get Brutal News On Two-Time All-Star

When he was placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation just a few days ago, Milwaukee Brewers co-ace Brandon Woodruff said he expected to be back on the hill after the minimum 15-day stay. That, unfortunately, will not be the case, as Woodruff and the Brewers have learned that he could be out for months.

An MRI has revealed that Woodruff has a subscapular strain in his right shoulder. 

Brandon Woodruff will know more when he sees the doc back in Milwaukee, but you get a sense here that he’s looking at an extended absence.

You also get a sense of what kind of teammate he is. pic.twitter.com/r7p1qzGbRu

— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) April 15, 2023

“If this was something that happened midseason, All-Star break, right before or after that time, I would probably end up being done, to be honest, for the season,” Woodruff said.  Yikes. 

According to Sports Medicine Doctor Jesse Morse, this type of injury could keep Woodruff out anywhere from 4-to-12 weeks depending on the severity.

Brandon Woodruff

The subscapularis is one of the more important rotator cuff muscles.

This muscle is commonly used for ‘reaching across your body’ (think grabbing a seatbelt).

All the pain is in the front of the shoulder.

Responds really well to PRP/stem cell.

Out 4-12… https://t.co/pEq3U6GIzJ pic.twitter.com/ULW83vYd3l

— Jesse Morse, MD, MBA (@DrJesseMorse) April 16, 2023

"It stinks," he continued, but then added, “I’m not going to rush this, I’m not going to come back too early just for the sake of coming back early. That’s just not going to do anybody any good.  I’m going to take my time, I’m going to listen to my body and trust the rehab process and just go through that, and hopefully come back at whatever point that is throughout the season and then try to finish up strong.”

His manager, Craig Counsell, was a little more cautious in his comments, saying that they need to get a more thorough diagnosis from team doctors once they get back to Milwaukee next week. At that point, they could have a more definitive timeline on Woodruff's absence. 

The 30-year-old was off to another great start to the season, with a 0.79 ERA through his first two starts, with an 0.88 WHIP. He had allowed just seven hits and one earned run in 11.1 innings.

In 2022, Woodruff was 13-4 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He's a two-time All-Star with a Top 5 Cy Young finish (2021). 

 Photo: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports