Brandon Woodruff named to Milwaukee Brewers World Series roster despite injury risk

Brandon Woodruff will be part of the Milwaukee Brewers' official 26-man roster for the 2026 World Series, Yahoo Sports reported. This comes after a determined seven-week rehabilitation from a shoulder injury that had sidelined him since early July.

The Brewers' decision-makers, including president of baseball operations Matt Arnold and manager Pat Murphy, were influenced by Woodruff's performance facing live hitters at American Family Field. Despite limited pitching since July 4, Woodruff threw in the 90-92 mph range during recent sessions, impressing the team.

However, the Brewers acknowledged the risks involved. MLB rules prevent the team from replacing Woodruff on the roster if he suffers a recurrence of his pre-existing injury during the World Series. This limitation was a significant factor in the team's deliberations.

Manager Pat Murphy noted the difficulty of the decision, recalling past situations where pitchers were pushed to their limits in postseason games. Ultimately, the Brewers' trust in Woodruff's readiness outweighed the risks, leading to his inclusion alongside other pitchers like Kyle Harrison.

Woodruff's presence on the roster is a major storyline for the Brewers in the 2026 World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Fans are excited about his return, though aware of the potential consequences if his injury flares up during the series.