Brewers place key pitcher on 15-day IL

The Brewers introduced Sunday that they’ve positioned right-hander Brandon Woodruff on the 15-day injured record with a proper lat pressure. 

Woodruff’s IL placement is retroactive to Sept. 18. Left-hander Robert Gasser was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding transfer and is slated to begin Sunday’s recreation for Milwaukee.

When might Brandon Woodruff return for Milwaukee Brewers?

Woodruff’s retroactive placement on the shelf signifies that he’ll be eligible to return in time for the beginning of the NLDS on Oct. 4. In fact, that might require Woodruff to be shelved for less than a minimal stint on the IL, which is much from assured. 

In response to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Woodruff is affected by a „average“ lat pressure, within the phrases of supervisor Pat Murphy. Murphy added that it’s too early to inform how Woodruff’s playoff availability will likely be impacted by the damage, and MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy reviews that he’s seeing a physician in St. Louis on Sunday to get his damage assessed after the pressure occurred through the righty’s bullpen on Saturday.

On the very least, the information brings Woodruff’s common season to an abrupt finish. Woodruff will finish the common season with 12 begins beneath his belt this 12 months, throughout which he pitched to a 3.20 ERA with a 3.18 FIP in 64 2/3 innings of labor whereas placing out with a sensational 32.3 p.c strikeout price. 

Woodruff made simply 11 begins in 2023 attributable to shoulder points and in the end went beneath the knife in October of that 12 months. That brought on him to overlook the whole 2024 season, and an ankle damage throughout his rehab this season delayed his return to the large league mound till early July. He instantly slotted again into the highest of Milwaukee’s rotation upon his return, and helped to maintain the recent streak that thrust them to not solely the highest of the NL Central, however to the very best document in all of baseball.

The timing of this newest ailment is unquestionably irritating for each the Brewers and Woodruff himself, given its proximity to the playoffs. Woodruff acknowledged as a lot himself in feedback made to reporters (together with McCalvy) Sunday morning.

Woodruff famous that he „wasn’t shocked“ by the damage and famous he’s been managing his shoulder for a while, including {that a} setback might have occurred in June or July and that it’s simply „crappy timing“ that this occurred to come back up proper earlier than the postseason begins. Woodruff added that it’s too early to say whether or not or not the damage might finish his 2025 marketing campaign or speculate on a timeline for return. He’ll must confer together with his docs earlier than he has a greater thought of what his subsequent steps will in the end be.

Which pitchers might step up with Brandon Woodruff out?

With Woodruff sidelined, the Brewers’ potential postseason rotation is in flux. Freddy Peralta and Quinn Priester seem like locks to begin playoff video games, however there’s little certainty exterior of that. Woodruff would clearly get begins if and when he returns, and Jose Quintana might discover himself within the dialog as effectively, relying on his personal restoration from damage. 

Whereas these two are shelved, nonetheless, they’ll seemingly be compelled to decide on between struggling rookie Jacob Misiorowski and fellow rookie right-hander Chad Patrick to spherical out the rotation. Maybe Gasser can put himself into the dialogue with a powerful outing Sunday, however the southpaw has not but pitched within the majors this 12 months after present process elbow surgical procedure final 12 months and has simply 38 innings of labor within the minors beneath his belt this season.