Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff undergoing season-ending surgery on right shoulder

For the second time in three years, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff will be undergoing shoulder surgery.

Woodruff, 33, told reporters before Saturday’s game with the Miami Marlins that he would have surgery performed to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder. He will miss the remainder of the 2026 season.

In an unfortunate coincidence, the Brewers gave away Woodruff bobbleheads to fans before Saturday’s matchup with the Marlins.

Returning for the 2027 season seems uncertain, as well. When Woodruff had the same procedure in 2023, he missed the entire 2024 campaign and did not return until July of last season.

Upon returning, Woodruff made 12 starts and finished with a 3.20 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings before his season ended in September because of a right lat strain.

Woodruff has been on the injured list since July 5 with right shoulder inflammation. Pitching the previous day, he left a start versus the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth inning, wincing after striking out Adrian Del Castillo on his 61st pitch of the game. Up to that point, Woodruff’s velocity was steadily dropping with his fastball going from 92.5 mph to 86.6 mph.

"I knew, when we went to the mound, it was bad," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said on Saturday, via the Associated Press. "It's tough to come back from what he's going to have to come back from."

Murphy told reporters on Friday that Woodruff would provide an update on his shoulder, indicating that “the outlook isn’t good.” The pitcher asked to have his press availability moved up to Saturday to halt speculation regarding his injury.

In May, Woodruff also went on the IL with shoulder inflammation, again showing decreased velocity and experiencing a “dead” arm. He eventually had a cyst removed from his shoulder joint and was out for nearly two months.

Woodruff finishes his 2026 season with a 2.98 ERA in nine starts. He struck out 47 batters in 45 1/3 innings and compiled a 2-2 record.

The Brewers have the top team ERA in the National League at 3.47, second in MLB to the New York Yankees.

However, they also recently placed Kyle Harrison on the IL with left forearm tightness. In 17 starts, Harrison compiled a 3.01 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 83 2/3 innings. He is currently awaiting results of an MRI exam performed during the All-Star break, but planned to throw a bullpen session on Saturday.

Earlier this week, Milwaukee acquired pitcher Lance McCullers from the Houston Astros. However, the nine-year veteran is initially expected to work out of the bullpen, according to Murphy. McCullers had a 6.86 ERA in eight starts with Houston, striking out 43 batters in 39 1/3 innings.