Brandon Woodruff, Brewers' longest-tenured player, makes World Series roster after long injury absence

Woodruff, who debuted with Milwaukee in 2017, hasn’t pitched since July 4 due to a shoulder issue

Right-hander Brandon Woodruff, the longest-tenured player on the Milwaukee Brewers, has made the club's World Series roster. Woodruff has not pitched in an MLB game since July 4 due to what was initially considered a severe shoulder injury, though he showed enough improvement in August to begin a throwing program. Game 1 of the Fall Classic between the Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays is set for Friday night in Milwaukee. "I thought he threw the ball really good," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Thursday, after Woodruff faced hitters earlier in the week. "It's almost incredible that the kid has worked his way back. His mind was on this. He was very quiet about it, but his mind was on this.

It's kind of incredible, and he threw the ball really well. Just ask the hitters he faced." Now 33, Woodruff made nine effective starts prior to the shoulder injury this season. He missed the entire 2024 season after having surgery on his shoulder, returned to make 12 starts in 2025, and then was on the Opening Day roster this year. It was initially feared that Woodruff would require another surgery in July. That ultimately was not the case. Murphy acknowledged the roster rules would play a role in carrying Woodruff on the World Series roster. Injured players can be replaced