Brandon Woodruff gave the Brewers one more thing to think about Tuesday, and he did it in front of some of the biggest names on Milwaukee’s roster.
With the World Series just days away, the veteran right-hander took part in live batting practice at American Family Field, facing hitters as the team weighs whether he can be part of its championship roster. Jackson Chourio was in the box, along with Brice Turang, William Contreras and Christian Yelich, giving Milwaukee a close look at where Woodruff stands before Friday’s opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The session also spilled into public view. MLB Network’s GEICO Ballpark Cam captured Woodruff working through the live at-bats, which immediately drew attention from Brewers fans watching his comeback unfold in real time.
According to MLB.com, he threw 23 live pitches and sat between 90 and 92 mph. He finished the session against National League Championship Series MVP Jake Bauers.
It was a notable milestone for a pitcher whose season looked finished not long ago. Woodruff last pitched in a game on July 4, when his surgically repaired right shoulder started bothering him again. Surgery was set for August, but the shoulder improved enough without another operation to keep his comeback alive.
From there, he slowly built back up. Tuesday marked his first time facing live hitters in nearly four months, and that made the workout a big checkpoint for both Woodruff and the Brewers’ decision-makers.
The club’s question is bigger than simply whether he can throw. Milwaukee has to decide whether Woodruff can help in a World Series matchup against a Tampa Bay team that earned its way there.
Woodruff knows the clock is tight.
“I know where I’m at. I’ve only faced live hitters once and the World Series starts in three days,” Woodruff told MLB.com.
“As far as a decision, I haven’t heard anything. I’m sure they are discussing it.”
Milwaukee is expected to make that call Friday morning, when the World Series roster must be submitted before Game 1. The Brewers will also want to see how Woodruff’s shoulder responds after Tuesday’s workload before locking anything in.
There’s a clear upside if he’s available, even in a limited role. Woodruff has been a fixture in Milwaukee’s pitching staff for years, and that kind of experience carries weight in a series where every inning matters.
But the risk is just as obvious. A pitcher who hasn’t been in a game since early July brings uncertainty, and roster spots in the World Series do not come cheap.
For now, the encouraging part is simple: Woodruff has reached the point where this is even a real conversation. A second shoulder procedure once seemed likely to shut him down for the year. Instead, he’s still in the mix, and the Brewers have a decision to make.
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