The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 13-1 on Thursday at American Family Field. Starter Brandon Woodruff left after facing six hitters with sharply reduced velocity, prompting concern over a potential injury. Catcher William Contreras led the offense with four hits and four RBIs.
Brandon Woodruff, the veteran right-hander for the Brewers, showed no signs of discomfort but registered fastballs averaging 85.4 mph, down from his season average of 92.5 mph. He faced six hitters, including a scoreless first inning with two strikeouts, before exiting in the second after one out and a single. Manager Pat Murphy noted, “He doesn’t feel like he’s injured. He said, ‘My arm’s dead. Nothing’s coming out.’ We just have to be really cautious here.” Woodruff underwent an MRI scan post-game, with the team awaiting results and discussing a possible injured list stint. Murphy added, “We think maybe with some rest, he can build back up. Hopefully, he’s solid and there’s no injury there.” This follows Woodruff's shoulder surgery in October 2023, which sidelined him for all of 2024 and part of 2025, after which he accepted a franchise-record $22.025 million qualifying offer for 2026. Rookie Shane Drohan earned his first Major League victory with four strong innings of relief, while Grant Anderson finished the second. William Contreras delivered four hits and four RBIs, reaching base five times, and Sal Frelick hit a home run in the seventh. The Brewers collected 10 hits off D-backs starter Michael Soroka before he recorded nine outs. Arizona's lone run came in the fourth on Ildemaro Vargas' single, extending his MLB-leading 26-game hit streak (23 to open 2026). D-backs manager Torey Lovullo expressed sympathy over Woodruff's exit, saying, “When somebody has to walk off the field that way, that's tough to watch.” Murphy praised Vargas: “He's always been a baseball player. He's playing with a freedom.”
