Woodruff requires season-ending shoulder surgery, ending 2026 campaign
Woodruff requires season-ending shoulder surgery with significant 2027 recovery implications.
Event / Sports
MLB 2027 Season
Major League Baseball's 2027 season schedule and developments
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 26 Apr, 05:06 UTC
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What happened
Brewers acquired pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. in response to Woodruff injury
The Milwaukee Brewers acquired Lance McCullers Jr. from the Houston Astros earlier in the week as a response to Brandon Woodruff's shoulder injury and his absence from the rotation.
Woodruff affirms intention to continue pitching career
Woodruff stated he is not planning to retire and intends to rehab with the goal of pitching again. He emphasized that despite the injury setback, he will 'attack this rehab with the goal in mind of pitching again' and is 'never closing the door on pitching.'
Woodruff posted strong performance in early 2026 before injury
In 2026, Woodruff pitched gems against Cincinnati (6 innings, no runs, 10 strikeouts) and Chicago (5⅔ innings, no runs, 6 strikeouts) before the injury against Arizona. He had posted a 2.98 ERA and 0.838 WHIP across nine starts before the injury ended his season.
Woodruff expects significant recovery timeline affecting 2027 season
Woodruff's recovery is expected to sideline him for at least part of the 2027 season. His previous capsule surgery in October 2023 resulted in a 20-month absence from competition. Woodruff stated he has not yet determined a specific timeline and has not ruled out pitching in 2027 or beyond.
Brandon Woodruff requires season-ending shoulder capsule surgery
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff underwent capsule repair surgery on his right shoulder. The procedure addresses damage to the same capsule he had surgically repaired in October 2023. Woodruff was pulled from a start against Arizona on July 4, 2026, after a significant velocity drop and was placed on the injured list the following day.
Woodruff accepted qualifying offer from Brewers for 2026 season
Woodruff accepted a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer from the Milwaukee Brewers in November 2025, returning to the team on a short-term contract following his shortened 2026 campaign.
Woodruff missed significant time in 2024 after previous shoulder surgery
Following his October 2023 capsule surgery, Woodruff missed the entire 2024 season. He also experienced ankle soreness, an elbow contusion, and a lat strain that interrupted his minor league rehab process in 2025 and his early 2026 season.
Chicago's Wrigley Field to host 2027 MLB All-Star Game
Wrigley Field in Chicago will host the 2027 Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 13, followed by a rivalry weekend.
MLB labor contract expires December 1, 2026, lockout expected
Major League Baseball's labor contract is set to expire on December 1, 2026, with management expected to implement a lockout. This mirrors the 2022 situation when negotiations weren't completed until March 10, delaying opening day from March 31 to April 7.
MLB schedules 2027 season opening day for March 24
Major League Baseball announced its 2027 season will begin on March 24, making it the earliest opening day in MLB history excluding international games. The opening day will feature a single game to be televised by Netflix, with teams for the matchup to be determined.
Oakland Athletics to play home games in West Sacramento and Las Vegas in 2027
The Oakland Athletics will play most of their 2027 home games in West Sacramento, California, for the third consecutive season before relocating to a new ballpark in Las Vegas. The team will have a homestand at the Triple-A ballpark in Las Vegas starting May 31 against San Diego and Cincinnati.
MLB 2027 regular season scheduled to end September 26
The 2027 Major League Baseball regular season is scheduled to conclude on September 26.
Lance McCullers Jr. placed on injured list with shoulder inflammation
Lance McCullers Jr. was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 19, 2025, due to inflammation in his right shoulder. He subsequently underwent a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land and was expected to return in July.
Kyle Harrison placed on 15-day injured list with forearm tightness
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday with tightness in his throwing forearm.
Logan Henderson returns to active duty after injury absence
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Logan Henderson returned to active duty on July 9 after missing six weeks due to injury.
Brandon Woodruff placed on 60-day injured list with shoulder injury
Milwaukee Brewers two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff was placed on the 60-day injured list after an MRI exam revealed a new injury to the anterior capsule in his shoulder, which had been surgically repaired after the 2023 season.
Milwaukee Brewers acquire pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. from Houston Astros
The Milwaukee Brewers acquired right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and left-hander Colton Gordon from the Houston Astros in exchange for outfield prospect Jadyn Fielder and cash considerations. McCullers, 32, waived his no-trade clause to approve the deal. The Astros also paid portions of McCullers' remaining salary as part of the transaction.
Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger first Yankees teammates to drive in All-Star runs since 1962
Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice became the first Yankees teammates to drive in runs in an All-Star Game since Roger Maris and Tom Tresh accomplished the feat in 1962.
Cody Bellinger wins 2026 MLB All-Star Game MVP
Cody Bellinger was named MVP of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The 31-year-old outfielder drove in two runs with a two-run single in the first inning off Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez. It was his first All-Star Game appearance since 2019.
American League defeats National League 4-0 in All-Star Game
The American League defeated the National League 4-0 in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice each drove in two runs with back-to-back singles in the first inning. American League pitchers combined for a three-hit shutout with 15 strikeouts.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
MLB sets 2027 opening day, navigates labor negotiations ahead
MLB schedules 2027 season from March 24 to September 26 as labor contract expires December 1, 2026.
Brewers navigate mid-season pitching crisis with McCullers acquisition and injuries
Brewers acquire McCullers to address pitching injuries, but he joins rotation on injured list.
AL wins All-Star Game shutout; Bellinger earns MVP honors
AL shuts out NL 4-0; Bellinger earns All-Star MVP in Philadelphia.
Sánchez, Cease named All-Star starters; Schlittler opts out
Sánchez and Cease chosen as 2026 All-Star starting pitchers; Schlittler declines participation.
Brewers ace Misiorowski sidelined by arm fatigue, misses All-Star Game
Arm fatigue sidelines Brewers ace Misiorowski from All-Star Game; team swept in doubleheader.
White Sox eye AL Central contention after three straight losing seasons
White Sox tied for AL Central lead after three 100-loss seasons, signaling potential turnaround.
Caglianone joins Home Run Derby with father as pitcher
Caglianone enters Home Run Derby with father as pitcher, boasting elite bat speed and exit velocity.
Verlander ends storied career with limited 2026 season, All-Star honor
Verlander retires after 2026 season with All-Star honor despite limiting 2026 injury.
Alvarez powers Astros with two homers, six RBIs in historic first inning
Alvarez hits two homers, six RBIs in first inning as Astros beat Royals 10-8.
Scherzer reaches 3,500 strikeouts, joins elite pitcher milestone club
Max Scherzer joins 11-pitcher club by reaching 3,500 career strikeouts.
Vargas walk-off homer lifts White Sox to fifth victory
Vargas walk-off two-run homer gives White Sox their fifth walk-off win of 2025.