The Milwaukee Brewers have been without Brandon Woodruff for most of the season, but the two-time All-Star is making a push to return for the World Series.
Woodruff was supposed to have a season-ending shoulder injury, but just before proceeding with the surgery, his shoulder showed signs of healing, and he started to make a push to pitch again this year. He began a throwing progression and threw a 31-pitch bullpen at Dodger Stadium last week. On Tuesday, he was scheduled to face hitters, which would be a major step toward returning.
“It’s gonna be hard to keep me off that roster,” Woodruff told Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel during the Brewers' celebration after Game 4.
As badly as Woodruff may want to pitch, the team would be taking a huge risk by activating him. If he is on the World Series roster, he will have to take the place of one of the 13 pitchers the Brewers had on the National League Championship Series roster. The Brewers have not even used two of those pitchers this postseason, so replacing one with Woodruff is not an issue.
The real issue is if he gets hurt again. The rules state that a player can only be replaced on a postseason roster if he suffers an acute, non-chronic injury or ailment.
"The Brewers’ fear with Woodruff, according to club officials briefed on his situation, is that any injury he suffers might be viewed as recurring or pre-existing, making the team unable to add another pitcher in his place," reported The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal on Tuesday. "The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they have yet to make a decision on Woodruff’s status, said the Brewers have spoken with Major League Baseball about how the rule might be interpreted."
Woodruff is the team's longest-tenured player and has been a staple of their success in the last decade. However, he may not be 100% and may only be limited to one-inning outings. Would he even be able to warm up multiple times if need be? The Brewers must weigh all scenarios before deciding to activate him.