Brandon Woodruff is on the Brandon Woodruff World Series roster, a decision that places a pitcher who has not appeared in a game since July 4 on Milwaukee’s 13-man pitching staff for the Fall Classic. The Brewers submitted their roster Friday ahead of Game 1 in Milwaukee, choosing Woodruff over Chad Patrick, who had been on the NLDS and NLCS rosters but did not pitch in either series.
A season interrupted, then redirected
Woodruff’s path back to a major league mound has been anything but linear. He went on the injured list in early May after a drop in velocity, returned in late June, and made his last start on July 4 at Arizona, where another velocity dip ended his game action. At that point, the expectation was season-ending shoulder surgery, an anterior capsule procedure similar to the one he had in fall 2023.
The surgery was ultimately deemed unnecessary. Woodruff has been rehabbing since, and on Tuesday he threw 23 pitches in a live batting practice session, after which he said he felt good. That session appears to have been enough for the Brewers to take a calculated risk.
Milwaukee cannot replace Woodruff on the roster if his shoulder issue recurs during the World Series. That rule constraint, which general manager Matt Arnold acknowledged, makes the inclusion a genuine gamble rather than a ceremonial nod. Woodruff has not pitched in a playoff game since 2021, and he missed the 2025 postseason with a lat strain.
Why Milwaukee made the move
Arnold described Woodruff as a successful, dominant big-game pitcher and said the good version of Woodruff is desirable on the roster. The track record supports the sentiment: Woodruff owns a 3.10 career ERA, the best in Brewers history among pitchers with at least 500 innings, and he was a two-time All-Star. In 2026 he went 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA in nine starts. His postseason résumé shows a 1-3 record and 3.18 ERA across eight appearances.
Woodruff said being on the roster would mean a lot to him, that he loves the playoff atmosphere and big moments, and that he feels ready. His exact role and availability remain unclear, and the Brewers have not indicated whether he will pitch in the series.
Patrick, meanwhile, posted a 9-4 record and 3.40 ERA during the regular season. He was on the NLDS and NLCS rosters but never entered a game. His removal from the World Series roster clears the spot for Woodruff.
Tampa Bay's roster adjustment
The Rays made a smaller change, swapping Garrett Cleavinger for Brody Hopkins on the pitching staff. Hopkins had replaced Cleavinger for the ALCS, and Cleavinger did not pitch in the ALDS. Otherwise, Tampa Bay is using the same roster it had for the ALDS, when it beat the Yankees before facing the Guardians in the ALCS.
Milwaukee reached the World Series by beating the Padres in the NLDS and sweeping the Dodgers in the NLCS. The Brewers have now reached the postseason in eight of the last nine seasons.
Full rosters
The Brewers and Rays submitted their complete World Series rosters Friday. Both teams carry the standard mix of pitchers, catchers, infielders and outfielders for the series, which opens in Milwaukee.
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