The Milwaukee Brewers have added pitcher Brandon Woodruff to their World Series roster ahead of Game 1 at American Family Field on Friday. Woodruff has not pitched in a game since July 4, when he exited an outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks with what was later diagnosed as an inflamed right shoulder. It was the latest in a series of injuries that have plagued the righty in recent years.
Woodruff underwent a second shoulder surgery in four years before the season ended, but imaging showed enough healing that he was cleared to start a throwing program. A two-month rehabilitation process followed, culminating in Friday's announcement. His fastball velocity, which had dipped to 87 miles per hour on July 4, reportedly reached 92-93 mph during a simulated game earlier this week.
Brewers general manager Matt Arnold called Woodruff one of the most successful, dominant big-game pitchers he has been around. The decision was not straightforward, however, because MLB rules limit how players can be added and subtracted during a postseason series. Woodruff replaced righty Chad Patrick from the NLCS roster, leaving the Brewers with 13 pitchers and 13 position players.
Woodruff, 33, is the longest-tenured member of the National League champions, having first joined the Brewers in 2017. A two-time All-Star, he finished fifth in 2021 NL Cy Young balloting and posted a 2.98 ERA over nine starts before his July injury. The Brewers finished the regular season with a franchise-record 103 wins and a 7-1 postseason start.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing