Latest Quinn Priester injury update doesn't bode well for rehabbing right-hander

Monday was, for the most part, a celebratory day for Milwaukee Brewers fans in regard to injuries. Despite dropping their series opener with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Brewers returned both Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn to their lineup. After missing the entire 2026 season up to this point, Chourio went 4-for-4 with two doubles in last night's loss.

However, while Brewers celebrated the return of their two injured stars, the team snuck another injury update into their list of Monday afternoon transactions. As announced by the team, right-hander Quinn Priester, who was on a rehab assignment in Triple-A, has been placed back on the injured list -- a setback in his return from neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome in his right arm.

The nerve issue, which has plagued Priester going back to last August, causes intermittent pain throughout his right arm, and the Brewers were optimistic rest and rehab would make the injury go away. As a result, Priester took things slow in Spring Training and has been gradually working his way back over the last month.

He was assigned on a rehab assignment on April 22, and has since made three appearances for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. It's been a tough showing for Priester in Triple-A, as the 2025 breakout starter has allowed nine earned runs in five innings and struggled mightily with his command. After throwing 62 pitches, only 37 of which were strikes, in his most recent rehab start on May 1, the Brewers pulled Priester from his assignment in Nashville and placed him back on the injured list due to shoulder soreness -- a development that doesn't suggest an imminent return to a big-league mound for the 25-year-old.

Quinn Priester heads back to IL with shoulder soreness after rehab assignment gets off to shaky start

The combination of Priester struggling in his rehab assignment and then landing back on the injured list doesn't bode well for Brewers fans who were hoping to see the talented right-hander in the near future. According to Sophia Minnaert of Brewers.TV, Priester is set to undergo testing before a decision is made on his timeline, but assuming at least a few more rehab starts are in the cards, it's almost impossible that he's back before the end of the month.

The Brewers have the arms to weather the storm as Priester works back from his injury, so the priority should be making sure he's not at risk of reinjury when he does return to the mound. Milwaukee needs Priester at his best at the end of the season, so decisions should be made to prioritize his health in August and September.

It's undoubtedly a difficult blow for both Priester, who was hoping to follow up his excellent 2025 season with an equally strong 2026 campaign, and the Brewers, who were expecting Priester's steady force in their starting rotation this season. Hopefully, his shoulder soreness is just a minor setback and he's back to rehabbing in the near future, but the update is no doubt one to be nervous about.

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