Woodruff avoids shoulder surgery, eyes possible return this season
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Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff has received a significant reprieve from what initially appeared to be another major shoulder setback. The 33-year-old right-hander announced Saturday that he will not need surgery on his injured right shoulder, a stark reversal from the plans he laid out in mid-July. At that time, Woodruff had been preparing for anterior capsule surgery, the same procedure he underwent in October 2023 that sidelined him until July 2025. Now, after a four-week follow-up scan showed measurable improvement, he has a new path forward.
Woodruff consulted with Dr. Keith Meister, the surgeon who performed his 2023 operation, and received a recommendation that surgery was not necessary. This news allows Woodruff to avoid the lengthy recovery timeline that comes with the procedure. Instead, he will begin a throwing progression on Wednesday, starting with playing catch. While the chance of him returning to game action this season remains slim, both Woodruff and the Brewers organization are keeping the door open.
“I think there’s a low possibility,” Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said before Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Braves. “But I think there’s a possibility, and why not go with it?”
Woodruff expressed relief at the update. “I’m very thankful, because I knew what surgery was going to do to me,” he said. He had been fully intending to have the operation as soon as possible to maximize his chances of returning by late in the 2027 season. But the improved scans changed everything.
The road ahead, however, is still long. Murphy cautioned that Woodruff has not thrown a ball in weeks and will need to build back carefully. “Now we also have to think of the reality of it,” Murphy said. “Now he hasn’t picked up a ball. Now it’s the progression back, how quickly, how much risk is there in that. But we’ll do anything we can to have Woody a possibility for any of this season.”
Woodruff has been a mainstay for the Brewers since his debut, posting a 3.10 ERA that stands as the best in franchise history among pitchers with at least 500 innings. This season, he has a 2-2 record with a 2.98 ERA across nine starts. He first went on the injured list in early May after a velocity drop forced him out of a game in the second inning. He returned in late June, but another velocity dip during a July 4 start in Arizona led to his current stint on the shelf.
Woodruff accepted a $22.025 million qualifying offer from the Brewers rather than testing free agency, committing to the team for this season. His health remains a critical factor for Milwaukee’s playoff push.
In other injury news, Murphy said Saturday that outfielder Sal Frelick is expected to return for the Brewers’ series against the New York Mets, which begins Tuesday. Frelick has been sidelined with a right shoulder strain since July 17. He is batting .236 with four home runs, 34 RBIs and six stolen bases in 90 games this season.
Article commentary
Brandon Woodruff’s latest medical update offers a rare twist in the often grim narrative of professional athletes dealing with shoulder injuries. The decision to avoid anterior capsule surgery—a procedure that typically requires a recovery period of 12 to 18 months—represents a significant shift from the initial prognosis. For a pitcher who has already undergone the same operation less than three years ago, the news is both a relief and a puzzle. Relief because surgery would have meant another long absence; a puzzle because the mechanics of shoulder recovery are notoriously unpredictable. What stands out is the role of serial imaging in this case. Woodruff noted that scans taken four weeks after the injury showed improvement, a timeline that suggests the initial damage may have been less severe than feared. The consultation with Dr. Keith Meister, a respected orthopedic surgeon who specializes in throwing athletes, adds credibility to the conservative approach. Meister’s recommendation to avoid surgery implies that the structural integrity of the shoulder capsule has improved enough to allow for rehabilitation rather than reconstruction. For the Brewers, this development carries both hope and caution. The club has been without Woodruff for most of the season, and his absence has been felt in a rotation that has leaned on Corbin Burnes and others. Woodruff’s track record—a 3.10 ERA, the best in franchise history for pitchers with at least 500 innings—underscores his value. Yet the reality is that he has not thrown a competitive pitch since July 4, and building back arm strength after a layoff of this length is a delicate process. Manager Pat Murphy’s measured tone—calling the possibility of a return “low” but not zero—reflects the team’s pragmatic approach. Woodruff’s situation also raises broader questions about the management of shoulder injuries in baseball. Anterior capsule surgery is a last resort, often reserved for cases where labral or capsular tears are significant. The fact that Woodruff was initially scheduled for surgery suggests that the imaging at the time showed concerning findings. The subsequent improvement could be due to rest, anti-inflammatory treatment, or natural healing. This case highlights the importance of second opinions and delayed decision-making, especially for pitchers whose careers hinge on shoulder health. Financially, Woodruff’s $22.025 million qualifying offer makes him a high-stakes investment. The Brewers are paying him to be a frontline starter, but his injuries have limited him to nine starts this season. If he can return even for a handful of games in September, it would provide a morale boost and potentially a late-season edge. But the team must weigh the risk of pushing him too hard, especially given the possibility of a full recovery by 2027 if he rests properly. From a competitive standpoint, the Brewers are in the thick of the playoff race. The return of Sal Frelick, who is expected back Tuesday, adds depth to the outfield. But the rotation remains the team’s biggest question mark. Woodruff’s timeline—beginning a throwing progression on Wednesday, then gradually building up—means he will likely miss at least another month. If the Brewers are in contention, they may decide to activate him for a potential postseason bullpen role or a spot start. Ultimately, this is a victory for patience and modern sports medicine. Woodruff avoided a knife he thought was inevitable. The challenge now is to turn that good news into actual innings on the mound. For a player who has already beaten the odds once—returning from the same surgery in 2025—this second act will be watched closely by the entire baseball world.