Brewers' rotation takes a hit as rookie right-hander lands on IL with back injury

The Milwaukee Brewers have been without veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff since the beginning of May after he experienced a "dead arm" against the Arizona Diamondbacks and was placed on the IL for shoulder inflammation. However, the Brew Crew weathered the temporary loss of their veteran leader by turning to rookie right-hander Logan Henderson, who filled in admirably in Big Woo's stead.

Henderson, who debuted last year but remained under the innings threshold that allows him to still be considered a rookie in 2026, covered Woodruff's last four turns in the rotation and posted a 2.14 ERA with two wins during the stretch. The Brewers as a team won three of the four games Henderson started while the rookie right-hander was busy posting an impressive 33.3% strikeout rate.

Unfortunately, in his most recent outing, a five-inning Friday night victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Henderson started to feel tightness in his lower back. The Brewers monitored the situation in the days that followed, but just moments ago they officially placed Henderson on the 15-day IL with a lower back strain. The IL placement was retroactively started on May 23, meaning Henderson will be eligible to return on June 7 when the Brewers will be wrapping up an away series against the Colorado Rockies.

Brewers once again turn to rookie Coleman Crow as Logan Henderson lands on IL with lower back strain

Losing Henderson in the starting staff is undoubtedly a tough blow for the Brewers. The 24-year-old was impressing in his first prolonged opportunity in the big-league rotation and appeared likely to keep his roster spot even after Woodruff returned from the IL. However, if there is one silver lining for the red-hot Brew Crew, it's that Henderson's replacement, fellow rookie Coleman Crow, has looked just as solid through his first two starts in the big leagues.

Crow made his MLB debut back on April 17 and followed it up with a spot start on May 15. Though he's impressed in both starts, with just three earned runs allowed in 10.1 innings to prove it, Crow was optioned back to Triple-A the day after he pitched -- a result simply of the needs of the Brewers' pitching staff at the time. However, now he's set up to make another start and could remain in the rotation for a few turns depending on Woodruff and Henderson's timelines. Woodruff is scheduled for a live bullpen session next week, so it appears Crow will earn at least two starts in the rotation.

However, even when Woodruff does return, the Brewers will still have a vacancy in their starting staff. Jacob Misiorowski, Kyle Harrison, and Brandon Sproat are the only other true starters on the Brewers' pitching staff right now after the team optioned Robert Gasser to Triple-A over the weekend. Therefore, Crow, who appears likely to start either tomorrow's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals or Friday's opener in Houston, could be earning his first extended look in a major league starting rotation.

Once again, the Brewers' starting depth will be tested, but even with Woodruff, Henderson, and Quinn Priester on the IL, Milwaukee still has the ability to turn to a promising, young arm like Crow to weather the storm.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow