MILWAUKEE (AP) 鈥� Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff was undergoing tests Thursday to determine what led to the drop in velocity that caused him to leave his start against Arizona during the second inning.
The two-time All-Star right-hander threw 21 pitches, and none of them exceeded 86.9 mph. The average velocity of his fastball was 85.4 mph, well below his season average of 92.5.
Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said the Brewers will wait before determining whether Woodruff needs to go on the injured list. Woodruff wasn’t available to speak with reporters after the team’s over the Diamondbacks because he was getting an MRI.
鈥淗e doesn鈥檛 feel like he鈥檚 injured,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淗e said, 鈥楳y arm鈥檚 dead. Nothing鈥檚 coming out.鈥� I think we just have to be really cautious here.鈥�
After allowing a one-out single to Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Woodruff had a 1-0 count on Nolan Arenado when Brewers coaches and athletic training staff went to the mound to check on him. Woodruff exited and Grant Anderson came out of the bullpen and struck out Arenado and Alek Thomas to end the inning.
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen it where his velocity’s down early and then it climbs,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淲e were waiting to see if in the second inning, if it climbed. But it was as low as it鈥檚 ever been. We think maybe with some rest, he can build back up. People go through stuff like this. Hopefully he鈥檚 solid and there鈥檚 no injury there.鈥�
The 33-year-old Woodruff has a history of injuries in recent seasons.
He missed last year’s postseason with a and had spent much of spring training working his way back, though he opening the season on the injured list.
Woodruff underwent shoulder surgery after the 2023 season and in 2024, but he returned and went 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 12 starts. His fastball had averaged about 96 mph as recently as 2023.
He is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in six starts this year. He didn鈥檛 allow any runs and struck out two batters Thursday even while dealing with his lack of velocity.
鈥淗e’s a command pitcher,鈥� Brewers catcher William Contreras said through interpreter Daniel de Mondesert. 鈥淭his is a guy that knows where he’s putting the ball, whether he’s healthy or whether he’s not so healthy. Tremendous credit (to) him to go out there and compete. It’s the Big Woo that we all know. Regardless of what he has, he’s going to go out there and pitch.鈥�
Woodruff has spent his entire career with Milwaukee, and he accepted a $22,025,000 to stay with the Brewers this season rather than pursue free agency. He owns a 55-29 record.
His 3.13 career ERA heading into Thursday鈥檚 game was the best in Brewers history for anyone with at least 500 innings.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to get him checked out,鈥� Murphy said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to get him tested. We鈥檙e going to get him everything he needs just in case, with his history.鈥�
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