After undergoing an MRI, Brandon Woodruff, one of the Milwaukee Brewers’ best pitchers, has been diagnosed with a mild Grade 2 subscapular strain.
He will not need surgery, but he expects a long absence from the game if the injury had occurred during mid-season.
Woodruff’s definitive timeline and rehab plan will be determined after a team doctor examines him when the Brewers return to Milwaukee after their series in Seattle on April 19.
Woodruff will not rush his recovery and plans to take his time to listen to his body and trust the rehab process. He is hoping to return later in the season and finish strong.
Woodruff was placed on the 15-day injured list (IL) retroactively from April 8. The Brewers have not moved him to the 60-day IL yet as they need to know more about his recovery timeline or need a 40-man roster spot.
The Brewers do not have coverage for Woodruff as his injury will stretch their pitching depth. Although the team has had multiple injuries, they have many options, including Colin Rea in the fifth spot for the time being.
Woodruff is one of the top pitchers in baseball, a two-time All-Star, and a Cy Young Award fifth-place finisher in 2021. His injury will be a loss for the Brewers, but they hope to stay in the race for the playoffs. The team has an impressive 10-4 record this season.
Woodruff’s injury makes it less likely that he will be traded this summer, and the team may only move other key players such as Willy Adames or Corbin Burnes if the team is out of the race by the deadline.
The Brewers are willing to trade prominent talent while still contending for a playoff berth, as evidenced by the Josh Hader trade last year.
However, the team’s clubhouse morale was heavily impacted by the trade, making it difficult for the team to make a similar deal this year.
Mckourage
