Brandon Woodruff returned to the mound Monday night, delivering a 2‑1 win over the Cincinnati Reds after a shoulder injury. He walked a perfect game into the sixth, striking out 10 and allowing only one hit. The 900th strikeout of his career hit Matt McLain, marking the sixth‑fastest in Brewers history. Woodruff’s return signals a fresh start for a pitcher who struggled in April.

The game highlighted Woodruff’s improved velocity, with a 91‑mph opening fastball peaking near 95. He retired the first 16 batters before a single in the sixth, the longest perfect‑game bid of his career and fourth‑longest in the league this season. His performance snapped a 21‑pitch, 2 1/3‑inning outing that underscored his earlier shoulder woes.

Manager Pat Murphy lauded the outing, noting Woodruff’s ability to pitch in his best form after a season‑long slump. The milestone came after a brief 15‑day IL stint that revealed no structural damage, confirming his recovery path. With his health restored, Woodruff is poised to contribute consistently as the Brewers chase postseason contention in the division race.