Brewers RHP Brandon Woodruff hits IL with lat strain ahead of playoffs

The Milwaukee Brewers placed right-hander Brandon Woodruff on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a strained lat muscle, casting doubt on his availability for the postseason.

The move was retroactive to Thursday.

The 32-year-old felt discomfort on the 13th pitch of a bullpen session in St. Louis on Saturday and later admitted the timing "feels like deja vu," recalling a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the 2023 playoffs. He will miss the remainder of the regular season.

"This is a blip on the radar in terms of the grand picture of things," Woodruff said. "But incredibly crappy timing."

Woodruff, who underwent anterior capsule surgery on his right shoulder in October 2023 and missed all of last season, had returned in July in strong form, going 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 12 starts while holding opponents to a .188 batting average.

Milwaukee recalled left-hander Robert Gasser to start Sunday against St. Louis while Woodruff seeks further evaluation, including consultation with Dr. Keith Meister, who performed his shoulder surgery.

--Field Level Media