What Happened to Brandon Kyle Woodruff?
Brandon Woodruff is a two-time All-Star pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers whose career has been significantly impacted by injuries, including shoulder surgery in late 2023 that sidelined him for all of 2024. He returned in mid-2025 and, after accepting a record-setting qualifying offer for 2026, has again battled shoulder inflammation but is currently back in the Brewers' rotation and pitching effectively as of July 2026.
Quick Answer
Brandon Woodruff is currently an active starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, having returned to the rotation on June 22, 2026, after a stint on the injured list for right shoulder inflammation. He missed the entire 2024 season due to shoulder surgery and had a lat strain end his 2025 season early. In 2026, he accepted a $22.025 million qualifying offer, making him the highest-paid pitcher in Brewers history for a single season, and is now a crucial part of the team's postseason aspirations.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Drafted by Milwaukee Brewers
Brandon Woodruff was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th round of the MLB Draft out of Mississippi State University.
MLB Debut
Woodruff made his Major League Baseball debut with the Milwaukee Brewers.
First All-Star Selection
Woodruff earned his first career All-Star selection and became a full-time starter for the Brewers.
Second All-Star Selection and Career Highs
He received his second All-Star nod, pitching a career-high 30 starts and 211 strikeouts with a 2.56 ERA.
Diagnosed with Shoulder Strain
Woodruff was diagnosed with a sub-scapular strain in his throwing shoulder, limiting him to just 11 starts for the season.
Underwent Shoulder Surgery
He underwent right shoulder surgery to repair his anterior capsule, with an expectation to miss most, if not all, of the 2024 season.
Missed Entire Season
Woodruff missed the entire 2024 MLB season while recovering from his anterior capsule repair surgery.
Returned to MLB after Injury
After 22 months of inactivity and several rehab setbacks, Woodruff made his season debut for the Brewers, allowing just one run over six innings.
Season Ended by Lat Strain
Woodruff's 2025 season concluded early due to a lat strain, causing him to miss the Brewers' postseason.
Accepted Qualifying Offer for 2026
Woodruff accepted the Milwaukee Brewers' $22.025 million qualifying offer for the 2026 season, making him the highest-paid pitcher in franchise history for a single season.
Removed from Start with 'Dead Arm'
Woodruff was removed from his start against the Arizona Diamondbacks after experiencing a significant drop in fastball velocity, described as a 'dead arm'.
Placed on Injured List
He was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation.
Activated from IL and Returned to Rotation
Woodruff was activated from the injured list and returned to the Brewers' starting rotation, pitching effectively in his initial starts back.
Key Contributor to Brewers' Success
As of early July, Woodruff is pitching 'phenomenally' since his return and is considered a vital cog in the Brewers' strong 2026 season and postseason aspirations.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Brandon Woodruff, known as 'Big Woo,' has been a prominent starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers since his MLB debut in 2017, earning two All-Star selections in 2019 and 2021. However, his career has been significantly marked by a series of challenging injuries. After a strong 2022 season, Woodruff's 2023 campaign was cut short, limited to just 11 starts due to shoulder issues. The most impactful of these was the anterior capsule repair surgery on his throwing shoulder in October 2023, which forced him to miss the entire 2024 MLB season.
His road to recovery was arduous, with his return in 2025 delayed by non-shoulder-related setbacks, including right ankle tendinitis and an elbow contusion during his minor league rehab assignments. Despite these hurdles, Woodruff made his season debut on July 6, 2025, after 22 months of inactivity, pitching effectively and demonstrating his resilience. He posted a 3.20 ERA over 12 starts in 2025, but his season again ended prematurely in September due to a lat strain, which kept him out of the Brewers' postseason run.
Heading into the 2026 season, the Brewers made a significant commitment to Woodruff, extending him a $22.025 million qualifying offer, which he accepted in November 2025. This made him the first pitcher in franchise history to earn over $20 million in a single season, a testament to the team's belief in his potential despite his injury history. Woodruff started the 2026 season strong, but on April 30, he was removed from a start after experiencing a significant dip in fastball velocity, described as a 'dead arm'. He was subsequently placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation on May 1, 2026.
As of July 5, 2026, Brandon Woodruff has successfully returned to the Milwaukee Brewers' starting rotation. He was activated from the injured list on June 22, 2026, and has since made two starts without allowing a run, demonstrating his continued effectiveness. The 33-year-old right-hander is now considered a vital component of the Brewers' pitching staff, serving as the number three starter and mentoring younger arms like Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison. His ability to stay healthy and maintain his current form is seen as crucial for the Brewers' aspirations for a deep postseason run in 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Brandon Kyle Woodruff made different choices?