Milwaukee Brewers: How did Brandon Woodruff look in his return?

Milwaukee Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff made his first appearance on the mound since July 21st on Tuesday evening. How did Woodruff look?

Losing Brandon Woodruff was a tough blow for the Milwaukee Brewers to overcome. The team was already missing several starters, but they were able to stay afloat because they had an All-Star-level arm at the top of their rotation. However, Woodruff felt a pain in his left oblique, and needed almost two full months on the shelf. Woodruff returned to the mound for the first time since he needed time off on Tuesday night. Did he look like an All-Star or was shaking off the rust?

How did Woodruff really do against the Padres?

The opponent may have had something to do with it, but Woodruff looked great against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday evening.

Woodruff needed 37 pitches, 23 going for strikes, to record the first six outs on Tuesday. Woodruff didn’t allow a hit, walked only one batter, and racked up four strikeouts. The other two outs he recorded both came on ground balls.

Woodruff stuck with his two-seam and four-seam fastball for most of his abbreviated outing. He was able to hit 98 MPH on his four-seam fastball. He did mix in a few change ups and a couple sliders, but he stuck with his heater for most of the outing.

What’s next for Woodruff?

Woodruff is expected to make two more appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers during the regular season. He should work on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Milwaukee, and then follow that with a start against the Colorado Rockies in Denver.

Woodruff is expected to ramp up his pitch limit in each of his next two starts. He should be in the 50-to-60 pitch range against Pittsburgh, and then build up to the 70-to-80 pitch range in Colorado.

Whether Woodruff stays in the rotation or work out of the bullpen, the Milwaukee Brewers are better with him on the active roster. The Brewers may have several options in the rotation, but Woodruff is one of the few options who can dominate a lineup and work deep into games. The Brewers would be in better shape in the pennant race than they are right now with a fully healthy Woodruff. They have a Woodruff who is working his way back from an annoying injury. That will have to be good enough as the Milwaukee Brewers are looking to clinch a playoff spot.