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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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Brandon Woodruff, a two-time All-Star pitcher who has been sidelined since July 4 because of inflammation in his throwing shoulder, was a surprise inclusion on the Milwaukee Brewers' 26-man roster for the World Series.
The announcement on Friday, Oct. 23 came on the morning of Game 1 of the World Series between the Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
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Woodruff replaces right-handed reliever Chad Patrick, who did not appear in the National League Championship Series as the Brewers swept the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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"This is a guy that's one of the most successful, dominant big-game pitchers I've ever been around, and there are also some rule constraints that we're having to work through with the health, et cetera, that have to be a consideration because he hasn't pitched in a game since July 4," Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold said Thursday. "A lot of unknowns there, but obviously the good version of that guy is somebody you'd love to have on your roster."
If Woodruff re-injures his shoulder during the series, he reportedly would not be able to be replaced on the Brewers' active roster because he's been sidelined by the same injury for months.
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On Tuesday in Milwaukee, Woodruff pitched to teammates Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, William Contreras, Brice Turang and Jake Bauers. He threw 23 pitches, and his fastball sat 90-92 mph. It was his first time facing live hitters in nearly four months.
"I thought he threw the ball really good," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. "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."
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Neither the Rays nor the Brewers have ever won a World Series in their franchises' history, guaranteeing a first-time champion.
For Woodruff, who was excellent (2.98 ERA, 0.84 WHIP) in 10 starts before the injury, winning would be an especially happy ending to a long season.
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