Brewers add pitcher Brandon Woodruff to World Series roster - ESPN

MILWAUKEE — Brandon Woodruff, who hasn't pitched in a game in 3½ months to a shoulder injury, was added to the Milwaukee Brewers' World Series roster in advance of Game 1 at American Family Field on Friday.

«I care about one thing, and that's winning,» Woodruff said Thursday, before he knew the outcome of the Brewers' roster choices. «I know it's not an easy decision. Everything had to work out perfectly just to even have a shot at getting to this point.»

Woodruff replaced righty Chad Patrick from the NLCS roster, leaving the Brewers once again with 13 pitchers and 13 position players heading into their matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Woodruff, 33, is the longest-tenured member of the National League champions. He hasn't 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 — the latest in a series of injuries that have plagued the righty in recent years.

Soon after, Woodruff told reporters he would undergo his second surgery in four years — one that almost certainly would end his 2026 season. However, before undergoing the procedure, imaging showed enough healing to the point that Woodruff was cleared to start a throwing program.

That began a two-month rehabilitation process that culminated in Friday's announcement.

«Getting to the point where I'm at now was all I could ask for,» Woodruff said. «It went as good as it could have gone. I've probably made their decision a little bit harder, which is a good problem for them. I'm lucky.»

Woodruff's fastball velocity, which had dipped to 87 miles per hour on July 4, was reportedly at 92-93 mph during a simulated game earlier this week.

«This is a guy that's one of the most