Brewers’ pitcher Brandon Woodruff left a game early due to a surprising drop in his velocity. He was throwing fastballs at around 85 mph, well below his usual 93 mph. After just two innings, it was clear something was off, even though he reported no pain.
Manager Pat Murphy stated, “He wasn’t himself. He felt kind of dead.” This kind of drop in speed is concerning, especially since Woodruff has faced shoulder issues that limited him to 11 starts in 2023. He even underwent surgery that kept him out for the entire 2024 season. Although he returned in 2025 with promising performances, he still ended the season on the injured list due to a lat strain.
The Brewers had been optimistic about Woodruff’s health, making a significant $22.025 million qualifying offer to him, a rare move for the team. Woodruff accepted the offer and came into this season with hopes of contributing fully.
Before his injury, Woodruff posted a 3.77 earned run average over his first five starts, although some statistics hinted at potential issues. His strikeout rate fell from 32.3% to just 20% this year. Meanwhile, advanced metrics suggested that he might have been getting a bit lucky with a .235 batting average on balls in play.
With testing likely ahead, fans are on edge. If he needs to go on the injured list, it would hit the Brewers hard. Woodruff has a career ERA of 3.13 and a strong strikeout rate when healthy. However, he hasn’t made more than 12 starts in a season since 2022.
The rotation currently includes Jacob Misiorowski, Kyle Harrison, Chad Patrick, and Brandon Sproat. If Woodruff has to sit out, the team may call on players like DL Hall, Shane Drohan, or Jake Woodford from the bullpen. They have options in Triple-A, too, including Logan Henderson, Coleman Crow, Robert Gasser, and Carlos Rodriguez, who could step up if needed.
As fans watch this situation unfold, they’re reminded of how key pitchers can make or break a season. In a recent survey, 60% of fans expressed concerns about player health impacting team performance, highlighting the delicate balance teams must maintain.
For more in-depth coverage of Woodruff’s journey and the Brewers’ rotation, check out ESPN’s analysis.
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