The Milwaukee Brewers have won over 90 games in three of the past four seasons. The primary catalyst behind the recent surge of success has been elite pitching in a watered-down NL Central. However, last year, Milwaukee used a handful of starting pitchers alongside star righty Freddy Peralta to make up for the losses of All-Star hurlers Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff. Milwaukee traded Burnes after the star orchestrated a 3.26 ERA across six seasons, landing with the Baltimore Orioles in return for Joey Ortiz and DL Hall. Conversely, Woodruff missed all of the 2024 season following right shoulder surgery. Fortunately for Milwaukee fans, Woodruff will face live hitters this spring, a first since 2023.
Brandon Woodruff will return to the diamond this year, and on Wednesday, he assured the fans and media that he feels good and that there have been no setbacks in his recovery. With Woodruff clearing up his impending and unique Spring Training schedule, the Brewers faithful flooded Twitter in excitement for the return of their longtime ace.
Milwaukee Brewers Fans Eyeing Return of Brandon Woodruff
According to Milwaukee Brewers beat writer Adam McCalvy:
Brandon Woodruff wanted to clarify something: He’s a full participant as Spring Training begins. He hasn’t had any setbacks. The next significant milestone is Friday, when he faces hitters.
“I do want to reiterate that I am healthy. I am coming into camp healthy. I feel good. I just have to take different steps… I have not had a setback. I am not hurt. I want to clear that up,” said two-time All-Star starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff when speaking to the media on Wednesday. Woodruff underwent right shoulder surgery late in the 2023 season while missing the entirety of the 2024 campaign. When healthy, Woodruff is one of the most dominant pitchers in the National League.
From 2019 to 2023, Woodruff came into his own, going 41-23 with a 2.93 ERA. He earned two All-Star nods while also posting respectable numbers in the postseason. When healthy, the Brewers will slide Woodruff into the top of the rotation with fellow All-Star hurler Freddy Peralta. The excitement around Woodruff’s return took another step forward on Wednesday after the hurler spoke to the media:
I cant wait!!!!!
— Tony (@MontereyJack3) February 12, 2025
Awesome 🤩 Big Woo is back! Can’t wait to see him on the mound again. 👏 pic.twitter.com/pOWNotQnJr
— Obleo A. Beck (@oab) February 12, 2025
Hoping all goes well! We desperately need the Big Woo!
— Ryan Jaeger (@RyanJaeger19) February 12, 2025
This is Good to hear to say the least!
— BrewSki (@BreWSki4daW) February 12, 2025
This is just like signing a huge free agent.
— David S (@dsilby) February 12, 2025
Finally, some good news! Love to hear it
— D Parks (@Park66163Parker) February 12, 2025
If he’s back 100%. That’s a HUGE boost. If he can be the Ace, everything elevates. Then mentor Misiorowski and put him on his path… they’ll have a chance to go deep.
— Lousy Nuncio – Music For The Masses (@ClaySunUnion) February 12, 2025
— 𝒴𝑒𝓁𝒾’𝓈 𝐵𝑜𝓃𝑔 (@yelichfans) February 12, 2025
Brewers Rotation Taking Form
The return of Brandon Woodruff, a two-time All-Star with a career 3.10 ERA, would deepen an already strong Milwaukee Brewers’ rotation. Sitting atop the five-man rotation remains righty flamethrower Freddy Peralta, who has struck out at least 200 batters in the past two seasons. He is 23-19 with a 3.77 ERA during that span. In a headliner this offseason, Milwaukee traded elite closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees and, in return, added crafty lefty starter Nestor Cortes. The 30-year-old earned Cy Young Award votes in 2022 and posted a 3.77 ERA on 174.1 innings last season.
Veteran Aaron Civale will likely slot into the backend of the Brewers’ rotation. A trade deadline acquisition the previous season, Civale owns a respectable 4.03 ERA in 636.1 innings pitched.
Youngsters Tobias Myers and Aaron Ashby will round out the Milwaukee Brewers’ rotation depending on Woodruff’s health. As a rookie, Myers publicized a 9-6 record with a 3.00 ERA last year. Meanwhile, Ashby posted a 2.86 ERA, mainly out of the bullpen last year, as he missed the 2023 season with an injury.
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