Brewers shut down rookie rotation buzz after Brandon Woodruff injury 2 Aug 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

Latest Brandon Woodruff update casts uncertainty over his availability for Opening Day

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Tyler Koerth_ | Last updated Feb 23, 2026 8:35 PM ET

Brandon Woodruff has had a tough sequence of injuries over the past few years, both in regards to severity as well as timing.

After being limited to just 11 starts in 2023, he ended up missing the postseason that year due to an issue with his shoulder capsule that required surgery. He spent all of 2024 rehabbing, was eased into action in 2025, not making his long awaited return on July 6, and then sustained a lat strain late in the year, after just 12 starts, and again was inactive for the playoffs.

Now, for the third consecutive season, Woodruff may not be ready for Opening Day to begin the 2026 season.

The Milwaukee Brewers and Brandon Woodruff are being cautious with his health

According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, Woodruff’s status for Opening Day remains “up in the air.” Neither Woodruff nor manager Pat Murphy offered a definitive answer, though both acknowledged he will be brought along slowly in camp and is currently behind the other pitchers in his progression.

“We’re just going slow by design,” Murphy said, “It’s just, ‘What makes the most sense? We’d love to have him (available for Opening Day). We need those innings when you’ve got that much inexperience on your starting staff.”

Woodruff echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing that his top priority is being healthy when it matters most later in the season. “It’s (Opening Day) up in the air right now,” Woodruff said. “I know that term gets used a lot. There’s one goal I have this year, and that’s to be healthy. I want to be available at the end of the year when it matters most.”

For the Milwaukee Brewers, the uncertainty surrounding Woodruff creates an early-season question mark in the rotation. While his potential absence on Opening Day isn’t what fans want, the organization appears focused on the bigger picture of ensuring their veteran right-hander is fully healthy for the stretch run.

If Woodruff can avoid further setbacks and build strength as the season progresses, his impact later in the year could far outweigh a delayed start. For now, patience seems to be the priority, even if it means beginning 2026 without one of their most experienced arms.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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