Brandon Woodruff Added to Milwaukee Brewers' World Series Roster After Miraculous Recovery

Brandon Woodruff, who was sidelined by what was believed to be a season-ending shoulder injury in July, has been named to the Milwaukee Brewers' 26-man roster for the World Series. The team is set to face the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 on Friday.

Woodruff, 33, had been expected to undergo surgery to repair a capsule in his right shoulder, the same shoulder that caused him to miss the entire 2024 season. However, in August, he announced that his recovery had progressed sufficiently to avoid surgery and he began throwing again.

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On Tuesday, Woodruff's fastball reached the low 90s during a simulated game. "I’ve probably made (the team’s) decision a little bit harder, which is a good problem for them," Woodruff said Thursday. "I’m lucky, I’m blessed, we got a chance to win the World Series, and regardless of what happens, I will be just as excited to win if I’m on the roster or not."

His inclusion on the roster represents a calculated risk for the Brewers, as rules may prevent him from being replaced if he sustains a non-chronic injury. Manager Pat Murphy acknowledged the team's responsibilities. "We’d love to do it," Murphy told reporters Thursday. "But we have responsibility to those 20-some guys in there and to the organization and to the city and to whoever else we’re responsible to."

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The Brewers ultimately decided to add the two-time All-Star to the roster, potentially for a starting role. In nine starts this season, Woodruff posted a 2.98 ERA with 47 strikeouts and 10 walks over 45 1/3 innings, with a 2-2 record.

With Woodruff's addition, the Brewers left right-handed pitcher Chad Patrick off the World Series roster. Patrick did not pitch in the National League Championship Series sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers.