Brandon Woodruff addressed a number of matters throughout an interview on Foul Territory, together with his hopes of getting back from shoulder surgical procedure earlier than the 2024 season is over.  The likelihood definitely exists that Woodruff’s anterior capsule process may sideline him for your entire yr, however the Brewers right-hander acknowledged that he’s far too early within the restoration course of to set any timelines.  Nonetheless, Woodruff mentioned that “from speaking with a number of medical doctors, there’s a chance to be open to me throwing sooner or later this summer time….As an athlete, it’s a must to set objectives and [have] one thing to look ahead to.”

Woodruff is below arbitration management for one remaining season and was initially seen as a doable commerce candidate this winter given his rising arb price ticket.  His shoulder surgical procedure ended any likelihood of a commerce, however it create some likelihood that the Brewers may non-tender Woodruff altogether.  That mentioned, the Brew Crew may also look to signal Woodruff to some kind of lower-cost two-year contract, permitting him time to get better after which hopefully be prepared for a full season in 2025.  The 2-time All-Star hasn’t but spoken with the workforce about any type of contract or his damage scenario generally, however since “the season isn’t over but,” he figures these conversations will ultimately come.  Woodruff’s choice is certainly to remain put, as “I’ve been so fortunate to be with one group and principally one teaching employees my entire profession….I slot in so effectively with that metropolis and this group that my hope is that I can be a Brewer for a very long time.  That’s what I would like.”

Extra from across the NL Central….

• Accidents and inconsistency hampered the Cubs’ bullpen late within the season, contributing to the workforce’s subsequent fall out of the playoff race in September.  Aid pitching figures to be a goal space for Chicago this winter, however Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic don’t imagine this season’s final result will change the entrance workplace’s aversion to heavy investments within the bullpen, given how relievers can run so scorching or chilly from yr to yr.  Some extra skilled arms can be sought out, however with “an emphasis on discovering veteran relievers who’ve had some success previously — or flashed the potential to place all of it collectively — however haven’t performed it constantly or not too long ago sufficient to command a multiyear contract.”
• The Rangers’ Mike Maddux and the Diamondbacks’ Brent Strom are the opposing pitching coaches for the World Collection, and Jeff Jones of the Bellville Information-Democrat notes the bittersweet nature of this matchup for the Cardinals, contemplating that each coaches was once employed within the St. Louis group.  Maddux was the workforce’s pitching coach from 2018-22 earlier than becoming a member of the Rangers final winter, and Strom labored for St. Louis from 2007-13, together with a stint because the Playing cards’ minor league pitching coordinator.  Contemplating that the Cardinals’ pitching faltered in 2023 and so they’re now planning to overtake their rotation this winter, Jones observes that “no matter modifications come within the staffing of participant and pitching growth will seemingly take the type of making an attempt to re-capture a few of what was already in home and departed.”