The Brewers activated veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff on Monday, in time to start the series opener against the Reds.
Woodruff, who has made just 29 starts since the beginning of the 2023 season due to a series of shoulder injuries, was again sidelined just six games into this season, leaving his April 30 start in the second inning after suffering a noticeable drop in fastball velocity. He was placed on the 15-day IL the following day with right shoulder inflammation. Woodruff ultimately underwent a procedure to drain a cyst that had formed in the joint.
In a corresponding move, left-hander Drew Rom was optioned to Triple-A Nashville.
Manager Pat Murphy said after Woodruff's June 16 rehab appearance with High-A Wisconsin -- in which he threw 82 pitches (55 strikes) over 5 1/3 innings -- that his next start would come with the big league club. The Brewers confirmed over the weekend his return to the rotation would come in their series opener in Cincinnati.
In six starts this season, Woodruff has a 3.60 ERA (1.03 WHIP) with 25 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched.