Brandon Woodruff has made the Milwaukee Brewers’ World Series roster, completing an unexpected comeback from a shoulder injury that had appeared likely to end his 2026 season.
The 33-year-old right-hander replaces Chad Patrick ahead of Friday’s Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Rays, giving Milwaukee another experienced arm despite his lengthy absence from game action.
Woodruff has not pitched in a game since July 4, the Associated Press reported. His inclusion follows a throwing program and a live batting practice session earlier this week.
The two-time All-Star threw 23 pitches against hitters Tuesday and reported feeling good afterward. That workout supplied Milwaukee with a final opportunity to evaluate him before submitting its roster.
The decision keeps Milwaukee’s pitching staff at 13, with 13 position players completing the 26-man roster, Field Level Media reported. It was Milwaukee’s only change for the championship series.
Patrick had been available during Milwaukee’s Division Series victory over San Diego and Championship Series sweep of Los Angeles, but he did not appear in either postseason series.
Woodruff endured a difficult summer. He went on the injured list in May following reduced velocity, returned in late June and encountered another setback during his July outing.
He had expected to undergo another shoulder procedure before improvement allowed him to throw in August, the New York Post reported. His recovery reopened a path toward October availability.
Milwaukee’s choice carries a roster risk as well as the possibility of reinforcement. A recurrence of the existing shoulder problem could leave the club unable to replace him midseries.
The replacement rule allows a club to request permission for an acute, non-chronic injury or ailment. It does not guarantee approval when an existing issue resurfaces during a series.
Manager Pat Murphy praised Woodruff’s work to make himself an option, per Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporting. The Brewers ultimately chose him after weighing that comeback against their roster needs.
Woodruff finished the regular season 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA in nine starts. He struck out 47 and walked 10 over 45⅓ innings before his latest extended absence.
Woodruff’s career ERA of 3.10 is the best in Brewers history among pitchers with at least 500 innings. That record adds to the appeal of his return.
In eight career postseason appearances, he has a 1-3 record and a 3.18 ERA. Injuries have kept him from adding to that playoff résumé since 2021.
He missed the entire 2024 season after shoulder surgery and returned in July 2025. A lat strain then prevented him from pitching during last year’s postseason run for Milwaukee.
Friday’s selection therefore offers more than another roster entry for Milwaukee’s longest-tenured player. It creates the possibility of a first World Series appearance after several interrupted opportunities in October.
The Brewers begin the series at American Family Field, with Jacob Misiorowski facing Tampa Bay’s Game 1 starter Nick Martinez. The opener starts at 8 PM ET on FOX.
Roster selection does not establish when Woodruff will pitch or how much work he can handle. The Brewers will now have him available as the series develops.
Milwaukee reached the final round after winning seven of eight games across its first two postseason series. Woodruff now has a chance to contribute to the club’s first championship.
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