Woodruff Returns to Live Hitting Action
The Milwaukee Brewers are closely monitoring the condition of veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff as they prepare for the World Series. The team faced a critical roster decision regarding Woodruff before opening the Fall Classic against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Woodruff completed a 23-pitch live batting practice session on Tuesday at American Family Field, marking his first time facing live hitters in nearly four months. During the workout, he threw against the club’s primary lineup, which included Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, Jake Bauers, William Contreras, and Brice Turang.
Reports indicate that Woodruff’s fastball registered between 90 and 92 mph during the session. The pitcher has not taken the mound since July 4, when right shoulder inflammation forced him into multiple injured-list stints throughout the season.
Roster Implications and Medical Constraints
The Brewers plan to wait until the final hours before submitting their World Series roster for Game 1, which is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET Friday at American Family Field. This matchup marks the first time either club has claimed a title, representing the Brewers’ first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1982.
Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold told MLB.com that the team is "Still working through our meetings" on final roster choices, which are due Friday morning. The situation is complicated by postseason roster rules, which allow a player to be replaced during a series only for an acute, non-chronic injury.
Club officials have expressed concern that further issues with Woodruff’s shoulder might be classified as pre-existing. Such a designation would prevent the Brewers from immediately replacing him on the roster if he were to suffer another injury during the series.
Woodruff's Season and Career Context
Woodruff, the longest-tenured player on the current roster, has stated that he accepts whatever decision the club reaches after evaluating his recent work. He acknowledged the team's perspective regarding his health.
"I’m not going to be mad either way," Woodruff said. "There’s all the stuff we’ve been through, but then there’s the other side. I get it from their vantage point. The apprehensions, I understand that. All I could do was put myself in a position to be an option."
Woodruff’s path to this moment has been fraught with injury setbacks. He missed the entire 2024 season following surgery and made only 12 starts in 2025 before returning to the injured list again this year. In nine starts this season, he posted a 2-2 record with a 2.98 ERA, 47 strikeouts, and a 0.84 WHIP across 45 1/3 innings.
His career with Milwaukee since 2017 has been defined by durability and effectiveness when healthy. Over 790 1/3 innings in 151 games, including 136 starts, Woodruff holds a 3.10 ERA and 918 strikeouts. He has also made eight postseason appearances, recording a 3.18 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings.
Path to the Fall Classic
The Brewers earned their place in the World Series by sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 in the National League Championship Series. They finished the regular season with a franchise-record 103-59 record, while their opponents, the Tampa Bay Rays, advanced after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 4-2 in the American League Championship Series.
The Rays concluded their regular season with a 98-64 record. The upcoming series at American Family Field will determine the first World Series champion for either franchise, as neither has previously claimed the title.