Brewers' only World Series roster decision rests on the right shoulder of one franchise legend

In the process of securing their first-ever National League pennant, and just their second pennant in franchise history (their last came in 1982 as a member of the American League), the Milwaukee Brewers' roster remained unchanged through both the NLDS and NLCS. The Brew Crew carried the same 13 pitchers and 13 position players in each round.

In part due to the fact that it took the Brewers just eight total games to defeat the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers in their first two postseason series of 2026, Milwaukee didn't even need to use two of those 13 pitchers. Right-hander Chad Patrick and southpaw Kyle Harrison were available in Pat Murphy's bullpen throughout the NLDS and NLCS, but the Brewers' skipper never called upon either arm. That reality, and the fact that one franchise legend is doing everything he can to return from the injured list for the World Series, has fans questioning if Milwaukee's 26-man roster will remain unaltered for the Fall Classic.

The Brewers truly have just one roster decision to make during the week-long wait: deciding whether or not right-hander Brandon Woodruff is healthy enough to take the mound as a reliever and whether it's worth it to include the veteran right-hander on the World Series roster over someone like Patrick or Harrison.

Will Brandon Woodruff be included on the Milwaukee Brewers World Series roster?

At age 33, Woodruff is working his way back from an anterior capsule strain in his shoulder, an injury that caused him to undergo surgery back in October of 2023. He last pitched in a game on July 4 of this year, and appeared to be headed back under the knife shortly thereafter, but miraculously showed signs of improvement with rehab and has been throwing bullpens throughout the postseason. As of one week ago, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel indicated that facing batters was on the near horizon for the Brewers' veteran starter.

Additionally, as also reported by Hogg, during the Brewers’ pennant celebration, Woodruff expressed confidence in his chances of making the World Series roster, telling the reporter from the Journal Sentinel, “It’s going to be hard to keep me off that roster. I’m going to do everything I can. I’m in a good spot.” His comments have fueled optimism that he could return to the Brewers' postseason roster for the first time since 2021, when he last took the mound in October during Game 4 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.

What once felt like a long shot, now feels fairly possible. It's undoubtedly a risk for Woodruff's first game action in nearly four months to be in the midst of the World Series, but presumably he would fill the role that Patrick and Harrison were filling in the NLDS and NLCS, both of whom were something of a last resort on the Brewers' pitching staff in case one of the games went to extra innings. With a full week off before the World Series, the Brewers don't necessarily need 13 pitchers for the Fall Classic, even if the series goes to seven games, so they could theoretically withstand having Woodruff on the roster regardless of how much he's able to pitch. On top of that, if there's one pitcher who the Brewers trust to find success in a World Series game despite being thrown into action after not pitching in a game since early July, it's Woodruff.

The Brewers certainly won’t add Woodruff to the roster purely for nostalgia -- making emotional decisions is not Milwaukee's style. Instead, they'll want to ensure that including Woodruff over Patrick or Harrison truly gives them a better chance to win the World Series. It's the only remaining roster decision the Brewers face in the days leading up to the Fall Classic, but one that could undoubtedly have an impact on the outcome of the series.

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