Sproat's Hamstring Cramp
Brewers starter Brandon Sproat exits Guardians game with hamstring cramp, adds to rotation concerns
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Key Points
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MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reported on X that “The Brewers say Brandon Sproat left the game because of cramping in his right hamstring,” a detail underscoring that the team characterized it specifically as a cramp rather than a structural injury.
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Sproat’s outing line before exiting was 3 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs while striking out six batters—information beyond the summary’s inning-by-inning narrative.
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The cramp adds to a notably thin Milwaukee rotation, with the Brewers also missing Brandon Woodruff, Quinn Priester, Logan Henderson, Coleman Crow, and DL Hall (among others), per the report.
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The SI report noted that Jacob Misiorowski also exited this season due to hamstring cramping but did not require an injured-list stint—an example the Brewers could be hoping applies to Sproat.
Milwaukee Brewers starter Brandon Sproat left Wednesday night's start against the Cleveland Guardians with a right hamstring cramp, but both the pitcher and his manager say he will not miss any time. Sproat exited in the fourth inning at American Family Field after throwing an 0-1 pitch to Steven Kwan, visibly wincing on the mound before being evaluated by team trainers. Manager Pat Murphy was direct after the game: "It's just a cramp. He was fine. He'll be able to make his next start."
The exit came at a rough moment. Sproat had retired nine straight batters and the Brewers led 5-0. Then the fourth inning unraveled — two walks, a single, and a grand slam by Daniel Schneemann made it 5-4 before Sproat walked off. Reliever Chad Patrick came on to finish the frame. Sproat's final line: 3⅔ innings, 4 earned runs, 6 strikeouts.
Sproat Says Hamstring Was Cramping All Fourth Inning
Sproat, 25, described the cramp as something he felt building well before he left the mound. "The whole fourth inning, whenever my back leg would swing around, that hamstring wanted to cramp up on me," he said. He made clear he was not worried about missing time: "It's one of those things that's annoying. I'm not going to miss any time." MLB.com's Adam McCalvy was first to report the team's characterization — a cramp, not a structural strain.
Head athletic trainer Brad Epstein and pitching coach Chris Hook came to the mound to evaluate Sproat before the decision was made. The Brewers pulled him out of caution. Sproat is tentatively set to pitch in Milwaukee's upcoming road series against the Cincinnati Reds. The club is treating this as a watch-and-wait situation rather than a trip to the injured list.
A Brewers Rotation Already Stretched Dangerously Thin
The timing is painful for Milwaukee. The Brewers (44-26) lead the NL Central but are missing an alarming number of pitchers. Brandon Woodruff (shoulder), DL Hall (left pectoral strain), Coleman Crow (forearm), Logan Henderson (back), Quinn Priester (thoracic outlet syndrome), and Angel Zerpa (Tommy John surgery) are all currently sidelined. That list covers nearly every depth arm the club had entering the season.
Sproat himself was acquired to help carry this rotation. He was the centerpiece of a January 2026 trade that sent two-time All-Star Freddy Peralta to the New York Mets. So far in his first full big-league season, Sproat is 1-4 with a 5.94 ERA over 12 starts. His cramp only adds anxiety to a staff already running short on options.
Misiorowski Precedent Gives Brewers Reason for Optimism
The Brewers have seen this before — and it ended fine. Earlier in the 2026 season, pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski left a start with hamstring cramping. Misiorowski never went on the injured list and returned without issue. The team appears to be using that outcome as its guiding hope for Sproat, St. Albert Gazette reported. A cramp, unlike a pulled or torn hamstring, typically does not require extended rest.
Trade Deadline Pressure Builds as Woodruff Return Looms
With so many arms down, analysts say the Brewers may need to act before the July trade deadline to protect their lead. The pressure on Brandon Woodruff's return has also grown sharply. Woodruff, out since late April with shoulder inflammation, has been doing rehab starts in the Complex League. The club hopes he can return in the final week of June.
If the Sproat cramp lingers or returns in his next start, Milwaukee's Triple-A depth in Nashville will be tested. The available "major-league-ready" arms are nearly used up. For now, the Brewers are holding to the optimistic frame — it is just a cramp, Sproat says he will be fine, and the next start is still on schedule.
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