Brandon Woodruff's revealed timeline gives Brewers even more motivation this postseason

It's been quite the year for long-time Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff. After securing the largest single-season salary of his career, and the largest ever by a Brewers' pitcher when he accepted the $22.025 million qualifying offer last November, Woodruff joined the 2026 Brewers with the hopes of staying healthy and pitching in the postseason. In fact, at the start of the year, Woodruff repeatedly noted how his focus was on being available at the end of the season even if it meant jeopardizing his availability at the beginning of the campaign.

Unfortunately, Woodruff was once again bitten by the injury bug during the 2026 season. A bout of shoulder inflammation sidelined him for nearly two months beginning at the end of April. Woodruff returned and made three starts in late-June/early-July, but once again landed on the IL on July 5, where he's resided ever since.

Woodruff is dealing with a similar injury that caused him to miss the entirety of the 2024 season, one that resulted in him having surgery on the anterior capsule in his right shoulder. The veteran right-hander announced, shortly after he was placed on the IL back in July, that he was scheduled to have another similar surgery that would cause him to miss the remainder of the 2026 season and much of the 2027 campaign as well, but was planning on once again making a full recovery and pitching in the major leagues one day.

However, in late-August, Woodruff revealed that he decided to forgo the surgery and instead try to rehab through the injury -- a decision that he and his surgeon, Dr. Keith Meister, made after seeing improvements in his shoulder when he went in for a pre-surgery check-up. Not only was that good news for Woodruff, who understands the hard work required to fully recover from such a surgery, but Brewers fans also started to dream about the franchise legend returning for the postseason. From the sound of it, that was Woodruff's dream too.

Fast forward to October 3, the date of Milwaukee's 2026 postseason opener, and Woodruff now knows exactly when he would be available if, and that's a big if, he's able to return this year: the World Series.

Brandon Woodruff could only return to the mound if the Brewers advance to the World Series in 2026

It's still a long shot for Woodruff to return to the mound of the Brewers this year. Let's start by making that clear. However, if he were to return to the mound this year, it would only be in the World Series -- that's the timeline that the veteran starter is staring down. Said Woodruff on Saturday afternoon, "I'm progressing, getting to a point where I can get off the mound here pretty soon. Last few times out, throwing has been pretty good." When asked if the earliest possible time that he could return would be the World Series, Woodruff replied "I think that would be fair to say."

It's unlikely, but the possibility of Woody making a triumphant return to the mound in the World Series is undoubtedly added motivation for the Brewers this year -- as if they need more motivation. That possibility is also what is motivating Woodruff through this rehab process. Said Woodruff, "How many times do you get a chance to pitch in the World Series?...It may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I understand the repercussions that could come with that. But I'm at a point where I'm okay with it."

Woodruff alluded to a reality in that last line that is looming over a possible return: the impact this could have on the future of his playing career. Woodruff is 33 years old, and already with a major shoulder surgery in his past, another one could potentially end his major league career. The risk, therefore, of pushing his rehab to a point that could re-injure his shoulder is significant, but that's a risk Woody is willing to take if it means pitching in the World Series.

The veteran right-hander has missed out on each of the Brewers' last three playoff appearances and wants nothing more than to represent his team in October once again. Whether or not that opportunity arrives this year remains to be seen, but if it does happen, it would be in the World Series.

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