Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Remains limited to flat-ground work
Rotowire
Woodruff (shoulder) continues to throw off flat ground and remains hopeful to return from the 60-day injured list around the All-Star break, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Woodruff was cleared to start playing catch about two weeks ago and is likely gradually stretching out his throwing distance, but the Brewers aren't yet ready to have him advance to mound work. Once he's able to get a few bullpen sessions under his belt, Woodruff will then face hitters in live batting practice before likely pitching in at least one or two minor-league games or simulated games prior to being activated from the IL.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Resumes throwing
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Woodruff (shoulder) said he resumed playing catch Wednesday after he recently took a 4-to-5-day pause in his throwing program, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Woodruff didn't reveal whether the brief hiatus was part of a pre-planned arrangement or the result of a minor setback, but either way, the right-hander continues to eye a late-June return from the 60-day injured list while he recovers from a Grade 2 subscapular strain in his right elbow. Before the Brewers are able to pinpoint a more definitive target date for his return, Woodruff will have to advance to throwing sustained long toss, complete multiple bullpen sessions and live batting practice sessions and likely make at least two minor-league rehab starts.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Shifts to 60-day IL
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Milwaukee transferred Woodruff (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.
The Brewers have a tentative goal of Woodruff returning before the end of June, and since he was initially deactivated April 11, his move to the 60-day IL won't affect his recovery timeline. The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for first baseman/designated hitter Darin Ruf, whom Milwaukee signed to a one-year deal Monday.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Could return by end of June
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Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said Sunday that Woodruff's recent MRI on his right shoulder was "very positive relative to what it could have been," and that the 30-year-old's target date for a return from the 15-day injured list is by the end of June, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Woodruff has been out since April 11 after being diagnosed with a sub-scapular strain in his right elbow. The right-hander will need to build his arm strength back up on top of his normal recovery, but it's positive news that Woodruff looks to be on track to rejoin the Milwaukee rotation before the All-Star break.
Woodruff (shoulder) underwent a follow-up MRI on Wednesday, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.
The results of the scan were apparently encouraging, as Minnaert writes that the Brewers will "move forward building him up" on a to-be-determined timeline. Woodruff was placed on the injured list April 11 due to right shoulder discomfort and was later diagnosed with a sub-scapular strain. He is expected to avoid surgery, but there's no clarity as to when he might be able to return to Milwaukee's rotation.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Diagnosed with sub-scapular strain
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Brewers manager Craig Counsell announced Saturday that Woodruff has been diagnosed with a sub-scapular strain in his right shoulder, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
The good news is that the injury will not require surgery, but the bad news is that Woodruff is going to miss more than just 15 days. He was placed on the injured list Tuesday with what was originally labeled as right shoulder inflammation. Woodruff will be shut down from throwing for a stretch and there is no estimated timetable for his return to the Milwaukee rotation. He's scheduled to visit with a specialist early next week.
Woodruff (shoulder) had an MRI on Wednesday and remains shut down while doctors determine how best to proceed, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
This was relayed by manager Craig Counsell, and it certainly makes it sound like Woodruff's shoulder inflammation is fairly significant. Colin Rea had a strong spot start Thursday against the Padres and could remain in the rotation indefinitely as long as he keeps his head above water.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Headed for injured list
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Woodruff will be placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to shoulder inflammation, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Woodruff reportedly wasn't recovering from his last start properly, so the Brewers erred on the side of caution and decided to place him on the injured list. If all goes according to plan, Woodruff won't spend more than the minimum amount of time on the IL. Janson Junk will be called up to take Woodruff's spot in the rotation and will likely start Wednesday.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Delivers 5.1 scoreless in win
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Woodruff (1-0) earned the win Friday against the Cardinals after allowing four hits with four strikeouts and two walks over 5.1 scoreless innings.
The right-hander scattered four singles and generated 15 swinging strikes, as St. Louis was unable to get anything going against him. Woodruff is off to a strong start in 2023 with just one run allowed and a 12:3 K:BB in 11.1 frames, and he tentatively lines up to make his next turn through the rotation during the middle of next week in Arizona.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Strong six innings in season debut
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Woodruff took a no-decision versus the Cubs on Saturday despite allowing just one run on three hits and a walk in six innings while striking out eight.
Woodruff left the game with his team trailing, but it's hard to blame him for that fact. He didn't allow more than one baserunner in any inning, with the Cubs' lone run coming on a sixth-inning solo shot by Ian Happ. It was an excellent start to the year for Woodruff, who cruised to a 3.05 ERA last season even while missing time due to Raynaud's syndrome. He's lined up to return to the mound at home next week against the Cardinals.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Held back due to wet conditions
Rotowire
Woodruff won't make his scheduled start during Wednesday's Cactus League game versus the Diamondbacks due to wet field conditions, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
There's a good chance the game will be rained out anyhow, but either way, Woodruff will get his work in on the side. If the contest is played, Matt Bush will serve as an opener and be followed by Gus Varland and Hoby Milner.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Sharp in second spring start
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Woodruff struck out four batters and allowed an unearned run over three innings in Friday's exhibition game.
Woodruff tossed two scoreless frames in his first start of the spring, and he was sharp again in his second trip to the mound. Woodruff already appears ready for the regular season, and he is tentatively lined up to start the Brewers' second game of the campaign, which will come Apr. 1 against the Cubs.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Settles at $10.8 million
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Woodruff signed a one-year, $10.8 million contract with the Brewers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
It's a substantial raise for Woodruff, who was in his third of four arbitration-eligible years. The right-hander posted a 3.05 ERA and 190:42 K:BB over 153.1 innings in 2022. He's not as good of a bet as some of the other top-shelf starters to stay healthy, but as far as pure performance goes he measures up to almost anyone.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Quality start versus Diamondbacks
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Woodruff tossed six innings, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out seven in Monday's extra-inning win over the Diamondbacks. He did not factor into the decision.
Woodruff surrendered a solo homer to Cooper Hummel in the top of the third inning before a Sergio Alcantara sacrifice fly in the fifth frame drove in the final tally on his line. The right-hander was able to toss a scoreless sixth inning and post his sixth consecutive quality start. Woodruff finished the regular season on a hot streak, producing a 1.62 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with 54 strikeouts over 39 innings in his final six outings.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Posts 10 strikeouts during win
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Woodruff (13-4) earned the win Wednesday without allowing a run on five hits and one walk over six innings in a 5-1 victory over the Cardinals. He struck out 10.
Woodruff did not allow an extra-base hit in his stellar six innings Wednesday night. The righty has been spectacular during his last five starts, posting a 1.36 ERA and 0.82 WHIP over 33 innings; however, the 29-year-old has allowed 10 home runs over his last 10 outings.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Dominant in win
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Woodruff (12-4) earned the win Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings against the Reds. He struck out 11.
Woodruff shut down the Reds for most of the evening until Kyle Farmer took him deep with a two-out, solo homer in the sixth inning. The right-hander produced 17 swinging strikes and struck out the side in both the second and third innings. Woodruff has gone four consecutive starts without allowing more than two runs and holds a 1.67 ERA over that stretch with 37 strikeouts to only six walks. He's also struck out 10 or more batters in three straight contests.
Woodruff (11-4) gave up one earned run on five hits and one walk while striking out 10 over eight innings to earn the win in a 4-1 victory over the Yankees on Saturday.
Woodruff had success elevating his fastball and attacking the upper part of the zone against Yankees hitters. He garnered 16 swinging strikes and now boasts an excellent 162 strikeouts in 135.2 innings pitched this season. Woodruff has been in a groove lately, notching 21 strikeouts over his last 14 innings pitched. The 29-year-old right-hander is tentatively expected to make his next start at Cincinnati.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Fans 11 in win
Rotowire
Woodruff (10-4) earned the win against the Reds on Sunday. He allowed two runs on five hits and one walk over six innings with 11 strikeouts.
Woodruff had the Reds guessing all afternoon as he fanned 11 on the day, good for his fourth start of 10 or more strikeouts this season. The quality start was good news for the righty as he had been pulled before reaching six innings in three of his previous five starts heading into Sunday. He tentatively lines up to face the Yankees in his next start.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Impressive in no-decision
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Woodruff pitched seven innings, giving up one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five in Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Rockies. He didn't factor into the decision.
Woodruff was nearly able to blank the Rockies on Tuesday, surrendering just a solo homer to Elehuris Montero in the bottom of the third inning. He left the contest with a 6-1 advantage, but an eighth inning blow-up by the bullpen forced the game to go into an extra frame. The right-hander rebounded well after surrendering five runs to the Diamondbacks on Thursday, and he's now allowed two or fewer runs four times in five outings. Woodruff now owns a 3.41 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 141 strikeouts over 121.1 innings in 22 starts this year.
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Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Surrenders five runs in loss
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Woodruff (9-4) took the loss against Arizona on Thursday, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 innings.
Woodruff fell behind early, allowing two runs on a Christian Walker homer in the first inning. He yielded another run in the second and two more in the sixth to finish with his worst outing since early May. Woodruff has been stuck on nine wins since the end of July, though this was his first loss following five straight no-decisions. His numbers are down overall compared to last season, but he's still pitched relatively well with a 3.54 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 136:34 K:BB over 114.1 innings.
