Brewers' Quinn Priester Set for Surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Timeline for Recovery Revealed
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Quinn Priester's 2026 season is officially over due to the ongoing thoracic outlet syndrome issues that will require surgery.
Priester confirmed he will have surgery prior to Milwaukee's game against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, adding his expected recovery time is eight to 10 months.
"After doing all the things that we had gone through to try and fix this problem without surgery, we've just kind of gotten to a point where these things aren't working, so we're going to get surgery and make sure we clean this up and so that for the rest of my career this isn't an issue," Priester said.
The recovery timeline would have Priester back between February and April.
Priester had been dealing with wrist issues dating back to last season, but he was able to pitch through it as the Brewers advanced to the National League Championship Series.
After reporting to spring training in February, the discomfort Priester was experiencing persisted despite not having a clear diagnosis for the root cause.
"The part that's difficult is some throws I'll be able to feel it, and then some throws I don't," Priesterย saidย on March 5. "Sometimes it's difficult, based on the day, to understand what we're going to expect. That's some of the frustration right now."
The Brewersย announcedย on March 13 that a specialist determined Priester was suffering from neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome. Their hope at the time was that he would be respond to treatment in order to avoid surgery.
Priester had been able to go out on a rehab assignment in the minors, though the results were not encouraging. He had a 15.75 ERA with 22 hits allowed and 24 walks in 16.0 innings eight appearances.
The Brewersย recalledย Priester from the minors last week after he expressed still feeling discomfort.
"We've got to reevaluate everything and see where he's at," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said prior to a June 12 game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Priester made his MLB debut in 2023 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, then was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2024.
Milwaukee acquired Priester from Boston in April 2025. The right-hander had a breakout year with a 3.32 ERA in 157.1 innings over 29 appearances.
The Brewers finished last season with an MLB-best 97-65 record and advanced to the NLCS for the first time since 2018. They currently lead the NL Central with a 45-26 record entering play on Thursday.
