Brewers non-tender injured Woodruff
The Milwaukee Brewers non-tendered two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff.
The right-hander is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2024 season after undergoing shoulder surgery in October.
"Today we had to make a very difficult decision relating to one of the best pitchers and human beings in franchise history," Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said. "Throughout his 10 seasons in the organization, Brandon Woodruff has represented the Brewers with class, kindness, heart, and toughness.
Arnold added, "We remain very open to his return to Milwaukee, and regardless of what uniform he wears next, Woody will always be a member of the Brewers family."
Woodruff was projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn $11.6 million in 2024 had he remained with the Brewers.
The 30-year-old teamed with Corbin Burnes to form a fearsome duo atop the Brewers' rotation over the last six seasons. He was a critical part of some of the best teams in franchise history, helping Milwaukee to five playoff berths over those six years. His best campaign came in 2021 when he posted a 2.56 ERA and collected 211 strikeouts to finish fifth in NL Cy Young voting.
Injuries took their toll this season, however. Woodruff was excellent when healthy, putting up a 2.28 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with one shutout but only made 11 starts because of a shoulder issue that ultimately needed surgery.
A healthy Woodruff would be a boon for almost any team. Since debuting in 2017, he owns a sparkling 3.10 ERA, 3.19 FIP, and 1.04 WHIP, along with a 10.4 K/9 rate. As a free agent, he could potentially sign a two-year contract and spend this season rehabbing with a focus on returning in 2025.
It's been a difficult offseason for the Brewers, who saw longtime manager Craig Counsell depart for the rival Chicago Cubs after they were upset in the wild-card round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Brewers are reportedly open to trading any player on their roster.
Milwaukee also non-tendered first baseman Rowdy Tellez and right-hander J.C. Mejía on Friday.
Tellez, 28, slugged 55 home runs and drove in 164 over parts of three seasons with Milwaukee after being acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2021. He hit a career-high 35 round-trippers in 2022 but slumped to a .667 OPS with only 13 homers this year while battling injuries.
Mejia posted a 5.56 ERA in nine appearances for the Brewers in 2023.