Brandon Woodruff Declines Mutual Option, Becomes Free Agent

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff declined a $20 million mutual option for 2026, opting for a $10 million buyout and becoming a free agent. After missing the 2024 season due to shoulder surgery, Woodruff returned in July 2025, going 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 12 starts. He missed the postseason with a right lat strain. Woodruff expressed his connection to Milwaukee, calling it 'home for sure.' He had agreed to a backloaded $17.5 million, two-year contract before the 2024 season.