Brewers' Brandon Woodruff says he won't need to undergo shoulder surgery

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff says his latest shoulder injury won't require surgery, a notable change of plans for a two-time All-Star who has dealt with multiple arm issues.

This development creates at least a slight chance Woodruff could pitch again this season, though the prospect remains unlikely.

“I think there’s a low possibility,” Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said before the Brewers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. “But I think there’s a possibility, and why not go with it?”

Woodruff said he will play catch on Wednesday to begin a throwing progression. That represents a major departure from his initial expectations.

He had indicated in mid-July that he would be undergoing anterior capsule surgery on his right shoulder. He had a similar procedure in October 2023 and didn’t pitch again until July 2025.

“I’m very thankful, because I knew what surgery was going to do to me,” Woodruff said.

At the time of this latest injury, Woodruff was fully intending to have surgery as soon as possible to increase the likelihood he could return at least by late in the 2027 season.

Woodruff said Saturday that scans taken four weeks after his injury showed improvement. After consulting with Dr. Keith Meister, who performed the 2023 procedure, Woodruff said he received a recommendation that surgery wasn’t needed this time.

Avoiding surgery should allow Woodruff to return much sooner than the previous time he dealt with this injury, though he still has a long road ahead.

“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 spent his entire career with the Brewers and his 3.10 ERA is the best in franchise history for anyone who has pitched at least 500 innings for the team.

The 33-year-old right-hander is 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA in nine starts this year.

He went on the injured list in early May after a reduction in his velocity caused him to leave a game in the second inning. Woodruff returned in late June, but he dealt with another reduction in velocity during a July 4 start at Arizona and hasn’t pitched since.

Woodruff returned to Milwaukee this year after accepting a $22.025 million qualifying offer rather than entering free agency.

In other injury news, Murphy said Saturday that outfielder Sal Frelick should return for the Brewers’ series with the New York Mets that begins Tuesday.

Frelick has been dealing with a right shoulder strain and last played for the Brewers on July 17. He is batting .236 with four homers, 34 RBIs and six steals in 90 games.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here