Brandon Woodruff Returns to Brewers, Picks Up Victory

Until July 6th, 2025, the last time Milwaukee Brewers right hander Brandon Woodruff pitched in the majors was on September 23rd, 2023. He allowed four earned runs in five innings in a no decision against the Marlins in Miami. Woodruff had an injury plagued 2023, but pitched well when he did play, going 5-1 with a 2.28 ERA in 11 starts, with one shutout and 74 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched. In 2022, he was 13-4 with a 3.05 ERA and 190 strikeouts in 27 starts.

But the shoulder injuries that sidelined him for much of 2023 proved to be serious, requiring surgery. He missed all of the 2024 season, and while he looked encouraging in 2025 spring training, he would require some rehab starts in the minors before he could return to the majors. During his rehab, Woodruff suffered tendonitis in his right ankle, followed by taking a liner off his right elbow.

All that delayed his return even longer, but he finally returned to the Brewers and started the July 6th game, coincidently against his last opponent, the Miami Marlins, and once again in Miami. Woodruff returned with a solid six inning performance, allowing one run and two hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. Milwaukee’s bullpen shut down the Marlins and the Brewers won 3-1, with Woodruff picking up the victory.

A healthy Brandon Woodruff would be a big boost for an already good starting rotation, led by Freddy Peralta (9-4, 2.91 ERA) and recent rookie addition Jacob Misiorowski (3-1, 21 strikeouts in his first four starts) for the Brewers, who are in second place in the NL Central Division, four games behind the Chicago Cubs as we approach the All Star Break.