Brandon Woodruff has shown elite talent when healthy, but his availability has been a major issue for the Milwaukee Brewers. Since the 2023 season, Woodruff has only made 23 starts, missing the entire 2024 campaign due to a shoulder injury complicated by multiple recovery setbacks. Even after returning effectively midway through 2025, Woodruff was sidelined again late in the season because of a lat strain, causing him to miss the final weeks and the playoffs.
Despite these ongoing injury concerns, the Brewers offered Woodruff a one-year contract worth $22.05 million, which he accepted as he prepares for his ninth season with Milwaukee. Concerns about his durability have fueled debate about whether Woodruff could become a bust, a viewpoint highlighted by Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly.
The Importance of Consistent Play Over Raw Talent
Kelly stresses that availability will be Woodruff’s greatest asset moving forward, arguing his pitching ability can handle the rest if he stays on the field.
“While some say there’s no such thing as a bad one-year deal, that theory will be tested if Woodruff isn’t able to stay healthier than he has in recent seasons.”
This observation reflects Woodruff’s history: despite long layoffs, his 2025 return featured strong performance, with a 3.20 ERA and 0.91 WHIP across 12 starts and over 64 innings. He struck out 83 batters while walking only 14, demonstrating he retained much of his skill despite nearly two years away from major-league action.
Woodruff’s Past Dominance and Its Impact on Expectations
Before his shoulder problems, Woodruff was among baseball’s most formidable pitchers over a four-year period beginning with the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. During those 81 starts, he recorded a 2.76 ERA, maintained a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.8, and accumulated 12.8 WAR, highlighting his value as a frontline starter.
If Woodruff can approach that prior level of effectiveness while making around 25 to 28 starts, the Brewers’ investment could prove justified. However, given that he has only surpassed 25 starts twice in his career, Kelly remains skeptical about Woodruff’s ability to reach that durability milestone in 2026.
Brewers’ Rotation Needs Heighten Stakes for Woodruff
With Freddy Peralta no longer on the roster, the Brewers will rely heavily on Woodruff to anchor their pitching staff. The organization is paying him significantly more than just for the 12 appearances he managed last season, underscoring how critical his health is for Milwaukee’s rotation.
While analysts like Kelly anticipate another challenging season for Woodruff, Brewers fans will be hoping the right-hander defies expectations and returns to reliable form.
What Lies Ahead for Woodruff and Milwaukee
Woodruff’s ability to remain healthy will strongly influence the Brewers’ success in 2026, making his injury situation a crucial storyline. If he can stay on the mound and regain his earlier dominance, Milwaukee’s pitching rotation could stabilize despite Peralta’s departure. Conversely, recurring injuries could risk both Woodruff’s career trajectory and the Brewers’ competitive prospects.
As the new season approaches, the team and its supporters will closely monitor Woodruff’s conditioning, with hopes of a productive and durable performance.
