Brandon Woodruff's Fastball Vanished and the Brewers Yanked Him After Just 21 Pitches

Milwaukee's ace was throwing mid-80s gas on Thursday. That's a problem when you're supposed to be hitting 95. Brandon Woodruff lasted just one and a third innings against Arizona before manager Pat Murphy had seen enough, pulling him after a bloop single to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. made it clear something was seriously off.

Seven to Ten Miles Per Hour Gone

Woodruff was down seven to ten mph from his normal velocity, leaving the ball hanging in the mid-80s. In baseball, that's not a dip. That's a red flag. He faced six batters total, struck out two, walked one, and allowed that one hit to Gurriel before Murphy, pitching coach Chris Hook, and trainer Brad Epstein made the trip to the mound. The visit was quick. Woodruff was out.

"He wasn't himself," Murphy told a television reporter mid-game. "He felt like, felt kind of dead. He said he didn't feel any pain, just nothing was coming out. We've seen a little bit of this, but never at this level, where he can't get the ball over 85 mph. He's so important to us. We're not going to risk anything, maybe long-term by having him try to step on it."

Why the Brewers Aren't Taking Chances

This matters because Woodruff has a history that demands respect. He had shoulder surgery in 2023, missed all of 2024, and returned last season to go 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 12 starts. That's the kind of comeback you protect. The 33-year-old two-time All-Star is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in six starts this season. Over his career since arriving in Milwaukee in 2017, he's 55-29 with a 3.13 ERA in 147 appearances.

The Brewers aren't messing around with their ace. When a guy who's supposed to be throwing 95 can't get past 85, you pull him and wait for answers. That's exactly what happened Thursday.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.