Woodruff relieved rehab just on hold, not scrubbed after latest injury

MILWAUKEE -- It has been a long road back for Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff. After missing the entire 2024 season following right shoulder surgery, the right-hander has suffered two setbacks in his recovery over the past month.

Woodruff first dealt with right ankle tendinitis following a rehab start on May 11. He was then hit on the right elbow by a 108.2 mph comebacker against Triple-A Gwinnett in what was supposed to be his final rehab start on June 3.

Speaking on Saturday for the first time since that elbow injury, Woodruff was in good spirits and is eager to return to the mound.

“That’s life,” Woodruff said. “I could have been walking down the street and broke my ankle walking off the sidewalk or something. It’s about putting everything in perspective. I was lucky that I got away with what I got away with. It could have hit me in the head.

“It sucked in the moment because I’d gotten to essentially the finish line the last two times, and something has popped up. Stay positive. Things can happen like that.”

Woodruff was hit right in the elbow area on that comebacker on Tuesday, but the good news is that he is dealing only with some bruising. With the swelling going down, the team is hopeful Woodruff could resume throwing early next week. He then could throw a bullpen session around June 17 and face some live batting practice shortly after.

“I just got to get the swelling out,” Woodruff said. “Initially, when it hit me, there was no getting out of the way. It was a pure reaction. When it hit me, it got me good.

“I think everything happens for a reason, in a sense. I’d rather not get hit and have to miss a little time here, but it’s crazy how this whole thing works out. It hit me in a spot where it didn’t cause any damage. I didn’t know that in the moment.”

Before being hit by that comebacker, Woodruff was very close to joining the Brewers’ rotation for the first time since September 2023. He had a 2.11 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 38 1/3 innings in his first nine rehab starts this year and was in a good place physically.

However, this recent setback will push back his timeline a bit. The Brewers plan to be cautious with the 32-year-old veteran before he makes his season debut.

“We don't want this to turn into rushing him back in any way,” manager Pat Murphy said. “We would not want [Woodruff] to be out there unless he’s 100% healthy.”

There is no timeline set on when Woodruff could return to the Majors. The Brewers are waiting for the swelling to go down fully before allowing him to throw again.

Woodruff is just relieved that he’ll pitch again this season.

“My biggest fear was that it was going to be broken and likely cost me the rest of the season,” Woodruff said. “But as far as right now, I’m probably a day or so from getting the swelling out.”