Milwaukee Brewers Secure World Series Roster Addition with Brandon Woodruff’s Dramatic Return

Jun 28, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) high fives teammates in the dugout during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers have officially added right-handed pitcher Brandon Woodruff to their World Series roster on Friday, following a dramatic recovery from a shoulder injury.

The Brewers replaced right-hander Chad Patrick, the sole adjustment to their 26-man roster for the best-of-seven series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday night in Milwaukee.

Woodruff, a two-time All-Star who has been with the Brewers since being drafted in the 11th round in 2014, has not pitched since July 4. His original plan for surgery was canceled after showing signs of improvement during rehabilitation.

Beginning a throwing program in late August, Woodruff gradually worked his way back, throwing off a mound during each of the Brewers’ first two postseason series. He completed about two dozen live pitches in a session with teammates on Tuesday.

“It went as good as it could have gone,” Woodruff said Thursday. “I’ve probably made their decision a little bit harder, which is a good problem for them. So, I’m lucky, I’m blessed. We got a chance to win the World Series, and regardless of what happens, I’ll be just as excited to win if I’m on the roster or not.”

Woodruff, 33, missed most of the 2025 season recovering from shoulder surgery. In 2026, he posted a 2-2 record with a 2.98 ERA across nine starts.

For his career, Woodruff is 1-3 with a 3.18 ERA, 40 strikeouts, and four walks in 28 1/3 innings across eight postseason games (four starts).

“This is a guy that’s one of the most successful, dominant big-game pitchers I’ve ever been around,” President of Baseball Operations Matt Arnold said Thursday.

Since debuting with the Brewers in 2017, Woodruff has compiled a 55-30 record with a 3.10 ERA. At the end of last season, he took a $10 million buyout after declining his half of a mutual option, but later accepted a $22.025 million, one-year qualifying offer.

His unexpected postseason return comes as Milwaukee competes in its first World Series since 1982.

“I just wanted to be an option at this point,” Woodruff said. “I know what I bring to the table as a player and I’ll always believe in myself.”

–Field Level Media

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