Brewers' Starting Pitcher Quinn Priester To Begin Season On Injured List

[Steve Drumwright]

While the decision isn't much of a surprise, we now know more about the injury sidelining Milwaukee Brewers right-handed starter Quinn Priester.

The 25-year-old will begin the season on the injured list due to right wrist discomfort, manager Pat Murphy said Thursday. Murphy gave more detail on the ailment, saying it is "in that (thoracic outlet syndrome) family."

Priester has not pitched in a game this spring, and beginning the season on the IL had been assumed before Murphy confirmed that move Thursday. Priester first reported discomfort in his right wrist in August. 

The Brewers are hoping Priester can avoid surgery, with the symptoms being addressed by treatment.

Priester threw lightly off a mound Thursday, with a more rigorous session slated for March 21, which is just before the March 26 season opener.

"Often, thoracic outlet requires surgery," Murphy said. "But in this case, we’re not there. We’re feeling like there’s a chance that he’s going to come through this.”

Priester went 13-3 with a 4.01 FIP (3.32 ERA) in 2025 after being acquired from the Boston Red Sox in April. That included a stretch in which the Brewers won 19 straight appearances by Priester, 16 of those starts. He set a club record with a 12-game winning streak.

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[jay87shot]

It's good know what it is. T.O.S is scary so I would say this ranks in the bad news category, hopefully the non surgery rehab goes well.

[Simba2020]

From what I've read in the past, there are two main versions of TOS. One is typically quite devastating and the other much less so. Hopefully in this case it's the latter but I still don't know what even that means.

[liveforoctober]

I guess if I'm trying to silver line this... the Brewers were going to have to make some tough OD roster cuts as it is with how many deserving arms we have. There's no reason not to be overly cautious with him and give him as much time as he needs while we have the depth to allow for it.

[markedman5]

 

[markedman5]

 

[markedman5]

He’s just a mess

 

[Jopal78]

18 hours ago, markedman5 said:

He’s just a mess

 

Probably should just have the decompression surgery then plan on getting after opponents in April of ‘28

[Roderick]

On 5/17/2026 at 8:30 AM, Jopal78 said:

Probably should just have the decompression surgery then plan on getting after opponents in April of ‘28

What is the recovery timeframe for that?  Up until it jeapordizes next spring training, might as well keep trying the rehab.

[Jopal78]

1 hour ago, Roderick said:

What is the recovery timeframe for that?  Up until it jeapordizes next spring training, might as well keep trying the rehab.

 Surgery for TOS is typically  8 months or more between surgery and taking a big league mound again. 
 

Lack of command could be nothing more than rust. However, nerve issues  absolutely could manifest with an inability to spin the ball like before and diminished velocity. 

[Ewitkows1]

I'm not expecting him to pitch at all this year.

[Ewitkows1]

Another bad outing. 3 ip 5 runs. 

[umphrey]

Priester was a guy we really needed in October. Yeah our starting rotation looks great now but it’s full of guys who can’t exactly pitch 200 innings and then every 4-5 days in the playoffs. Priester was supposed to be one of those guys. 

[patrickgpe]

His rehab has been paused again.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/06/brewers-pause-quinn-priesters-rehab-assignment.html

I think at this point, surgery is the best option. I care more about his long term health and that he is ready for 2027 (if there is a season), rather than trying to get him ready for the playoff run. 

[Thurston Fluff]

They have to know if they don't do it soon it will delay the start of the 2027 season for him. At this point the only way it makes sense to wait is because they don't think the 2027 season will start on time. Does anyone know how a lockout effects injury rehab? Just curious if a team is allowed/obligated to provide it in their facilities.

[patrickgpe]

5 minutes ago, Thurston Fluff said:

They have to know if they don't do it soon it will delay the start of the 2027 season for him. At this point the only way it makes sense to wait is because they don't think the 2027 season will start on time. Does anyone know how a lockout effects injury rehab? Just curious if a team is allowed/obligated to provide it in their facilities.

This is why I want surgery now: 

 

During an MLB lockout, players are prohibited from using official team facilities, receiving medical evaluations from team trainers, or having any contact with team coaches and staff. They must train on their own, use independent gyms, or utilize union-provided training facilities

 

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-lockout-what-is-and-isnt-allowed-to-happen-during-baseballs-work-stoppage/

[Lathund]

We can't know if surgery is the best option. The thing with nerve injuries (he has the version of TOS where a nerve is compressed, not the vascular kind) is that they take time to heal. So even if he didn't have any pressure remaining on that nerve, it still might not be functioning fully due to not having had enough time to heal. In which case surgery would do more harm than good. Fans are always quick to always go for the surgery in every case, but there is usually a reason for not taking that route, How good that reason is can vary, but it's safe to say the doctors involved know a lot more about the injury and treatment than random fans online. Maybe he'll end up needing the surgery, maybe not. Either way, which option is better is not something any one of us can know.