Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff announced he will not need surgery on his injured right shoulder, a notable change from the plans he outlined in mid-July. The development creates at least a slight chance he could pitch again this season, though the prospect remains unlikely, as reported across multiple outlets.

A surprising turn after scans

Woodruff had indicated in mid-July that he would undergo anterior capsule surgery on his right shoulder, a repeat of a procedure he had in October 2023 that kept him off the mound until July 2025. At the time of the latest injury, he was fully intending to have surgery as soon as possible, hoping to return at least by late in the 2027 season.

That plan changed after scans taken four weeks after the injury showed improvement. Woodruff consulted with Dr. Keith Meister, the surgeon who performed the 2023 operation, and received a recommendation that surgery was not needed this time. The decision was first reported by Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who spoke with Woodruff on Saturday. According to Hogg’s account, Woodruff said: "I’m thankful."

Woodruff himself elaborated on his relief: "I’m very thankful, because I knew what surgery was going to do to me."

The Milwaukee Brewers, who had listed Woodruff on their medical updates as recently as Tuesday, were reportedly aware of the news a few days before it became public. However, as one report noted, those with the team were nervous to accept it as realistic, given the difficulty of the road ahead.

Five-week throwing progression begins Wednesday

Woodruff will start a five-week throwing progression on Wednesday, beginning with playing catch. He will be re-evaluated at the end of those five weeks, at which point his availability would be assessed. The original plan, as reported, was for him to undergo surgery when he left Milwaukee in late July, but the unexpected healing shown in early August scans, combined with Meister’s opinion, changed the course.

Manager Pat Murphy, speaking before the Brewers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, struck a cautious tone. "I think there’s a low possibility, but I think there’s a possibility," Murphy said, adding: "And why not go with it?"

Murphy emphasized the uncertain nature of the return, noting that Woodruff has yet to pick up a ball. "Now we also have to think of the reality of it," he said. "Now it’s the progression back, how quickly, how much risk is there in that. But we’ll do anything we can to have Woody as a possibility for any of this season."

In a separate interview reported by MLB News, Murphy expressed deeper optimism about Woodruff’s long-term outlook, calling it positive news. "I think it’d be a shame to have his career over when he’s got a lot of good pitching left," Murphy said, adding that Woodruff has reached a point where he "really understands pitching, and he doesn’t need the 98 [mph] anymore to be a winning pitcher, as he’s proven with us this year." He tempered expectations: "It’s not for sure that he’s going to come back and everything’s going to be easy, but I think it does his mind good that, ’I don’t need the surgery.’… So I’m excited for him."

Injury history and impact on the Brewers

The news follows a season plagued by shoulder issues for the 33-year-old right-hander, who has been sidelined since July 4 with right shoulder inflammation. He went on the injured list in early May after reduced velocity forced him from a game, then returned in late June only to experience a similar drop in velocity during a July 4 start at Arizona.

Woodruff has made only nine appearances this year, posting a 2–2 record with a 2.98 ERA. Over these starts, he has thrown 45.1 innings, striking out 47 batters and walking 10. His career numbers remain historically strong: with the Brewers, Woodruff’s 3.10 ERA is the best in franchise history for any pitcher with at least 500 innings.

His recurring injuries have been a major concern since 2023. Woodruff has made just 32 appearances since the start of that season. He missed all of 2024 after the shoulder capsule surgery, and he has not pitched a playoff game for the Brewers since 2021.

The original surgery if it had occurred, would have been another repair of the same shoulder capsule on which he underwent a procedure in October 2023, from which recovery lasted about 20 months. With the surgery now avoided, there is a possibility that Woodruff could return sooner, though he still faces a lengthy rebuilding process.

Earlier in his career, Woodruff had to fend off suggestions that his shoulder problems might end his career. But now, according to the coverage, the focus is on whether he can make a 2026 return, which had seemed far-fetched just a month ago.

Woodruff’s season has also been shaped by his contract status: he returned to Milwaukee this year after accepting a qualifying offer worth $22.025 million. The Brewers’ roster also stands to benefit from the return of outfielder Sal Frelick, who is expected to be with the team for the series against the New York Mets beginning Tuesday. Frelick has been out with a right shoulder strain per on July 17, batting .236 with four homers, 34 RBIs and six steals in 90 games.

Outlook for the postseason

In what was described as an optimistic scenario, a five-week throwing progression—barring setbacks—could line up with the playoffs. Yardbarker reported that the Brewers have reportedly strong rotation depth, with Jacob Misiorowski, Kyle Harrison and Logan Henderson as presumed top-three playoff starters, leaving the fourth spot open. If Woodruff completes his progression successfully, he could pitch out of the bullpen as a late-inning option, as that report proposes.

MLB News characterized the shift as a surprising development, noting that ”Just a month ago, the question was whether the 33-year-old and longest-tenured Brewer would ever be able to pitch again. Now, it’s whether he might be able to make a 2026 return that nobody could’ve seen coming."

For now, Woodruff’s immediate task is simple: begin the throwing progression and see what his shoulder allows. As manager Murphy summed up, the possibility is low, but it exists. "Why not go with it?" he asked.