The Milwaukee Brewers are holding their breath for a key member of their rotation. Starter Brandon Woodruff exited Thursday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks after two innings with a dead arm, although he later said he didn’t feel like he suffered an injury. His fastball velocity was significantly down, with no pitch surpassing 88 mph. The team is currently conducting an evaluation, and no matter what turns up, it seems likely Woodruff will have to spend some time on the injured list.
Brandon Woodruff Exits with Possible Injury; IL Stint Appears Likely
Woodruff considered testing free agency this past offseason, declining his mutual option with the Brewers. However, a few weeks later, he accepted a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer to stay in Milwaukee. The two-time All-Star broke into the majors in 2017 and is in his ninth season with the Brewers (he missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery). So far in 2026, Woodruff is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 30 innings of work (six starts).
Brandon Woodruff was pulled in the second inning of his start today.
His fastball velocity was in the mid-80s after being in the low-90s in his previous outings this year pic.twitter.com/WINt00WHZa
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 30, 2026
There was immediate concern on Thursday, as Woodruff’s fastball velocity sat in the mid-80s despite being in the low 90s earlier this season. While he did not surrender any runs, and the Brewers eventually romped to a 13-1 win, something was clearly wrong, so manager Pat Murphy got him out of the game. After the game, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reported that Woodruff will undergo more testing. Murphy said Woodruff told him he didn’t feel injured, just that his “arm’s dead.” Murphy added that an IL stint was a possibility, but the team hadn’t reached a decision yet.
Pat Murphy on Woodruff: “He doesn’t feel like he’s injured. He said, ‘My arm’s dead, nothing’s coming out.’”
Woodruff will undergo more testing. The IL is a possibility, Murph said, but no decision made yet.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) April 30, 2026
Losing a top starter for an extended time frame would not be ideal for the Brewers. However, they have no shortage of pitching depth, even after they traded ace Freddy Peralta in the offseason. Second-year starter Jacob Misiorowski remains a key piece in the rotation, and Milwaukee also has Chad Patrick and Kyle Harrison, each with sub-3.00 ERAs this season, at its disposal. If the Brewers eventually want another starter, they might recall Logan Henderson, who currently has a 1.02 ERA in five appearances (three starts) at Triple-A Nashville.
Main Photo Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
