Right-handed pitcher Brandon Woodruff is making a return to the Milwaukee Brewers with a reported two-year contract, as per the New York Post. While financial details remain undisclosed, Woodruff’s recent shoulder surgery in October casts doubt on his availability for the entirety of the 2024 season, with the agreement presumably aimed at his comeback in 2025.
Woodruff, aged 31, encountered shoulder troubles just two starts into the 2024 season, later making a commendable return in August with nine effective starts. However, persistent issues led to his exclusion from the team’s Wild Card Series roster. The surgery focused on repairing Woodruff’s anterior capsule, a significant procedure necessitating an extensive rehabilitation process.
Following the surgery, the Brewers opted not to tender Woodruff, avoiding a hefty arbitration payout exceeding $11 million for the 2024 season, which would have been his final year of team control. Instead, the newly inked two-year contract likely offers a modest base salary for 2024, with a higher salary and potential incentives for 2025, prioritizing his complete recovery and anticipated return to form the following year.
Despite his setback, Woodruff showcased his prowess last season, boasting an impressive 2.28 ERA alongside 74 strikeouts in 67 innings across 11 starts. With Woodruff’s rehabilitation underway and Corbin Burnes traded, the Brewers’ rotation will be spearheaded by Freddy Peralta, complemented by pitchers like Wade Miley, Jake Junis, Colin Rea, and possibly DL Hall, acquired in the Burnes deal with the Baltimore Orioles.
Despite managerial changes and offseason transitions, including Craig Counsell’s departure to the NL Central rival Chicago Cubs, the Brewers remain optimistic after their successful 2023 campaign, where they clinched the NL Central title before being eliminated in the Wild Card Series by the Arizona Diamondbacks. With Woodruff’s potential return in focus, the Brewers aim to sustain their competitive edge in the upcoming seasons under new leadership.
