Recent Brewers trade acquisition could be on thin ice as pitching reinforcements arrive

The last spot in the bullpen can often be a difficult and inconsistent role, and that is currently where Jake Woodford finds himself with the Milwaukee Brewers. Acquired at the end of March in a trade involving minor league pitcher K. C. Hunt, Woodford has made 13 appearances this season. Overall, he has thrown 19 innings and has a 6.16 ERA with 16 strikeouts and a 1.74 WHIP.

However, his usage throughout May has been extremely limited. He has appeared in just three games during the month, including a lengthy 13-day stretch between outings from May 4 to May 17. With several Brewers pitchers expected to return from injury in the near future, Woodford may be running out of time on the active roster. Since he is out of minor league options, any roster move would likely require Milwaukee to expose him to waivers, making him a probable roster casualty once the club begins getting healthier.

Jake Woodford’s tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers appears to be nearing an inevitable end

As things currently stand, the Brewers have four pitchers working their way back from injury: Rob Zastryzny, Brandon Woodruff, Jared Koenig, and Quinn Priester. Their returns are expected to begin arriving between the end of May and early June, and that looming roster crunch could spell an inevitable end for Woodford, who, as mentioned, currently occupies the final spot in Milwaukee’s bullpen and has no minor league options.

Of that group nearing a return, Zastryzny is already on a rehab assignment in Triple-A and has thrown three scoreless appearances so far. Brandon Woodruff and Jared Koenig have both progressed to throwing bullpen sessions, with Woodruff recently sitting reaching his normal velocity during a live batting practice session while Koenig approaches rehab assignment territory.

Woodruff appears to have a realistic chance of returning without needing a formal rehab assignment, whereas the opposite is likely for Koenig, who could eventually join Priester on assignment. Priester, meanwhile, has struggled to produce consistent results during his rehab outings, which may end up delaying his return timeline even further.

With Milwaukee’s pitching staff getting healthier, the roster math is beginning to work against Woodford. The Brewers simply have too many arms nearing a return, and with Woodford out of minor league options and already occupying an inconsistent and low-leverage role, he appears to be the most logical roster casualty once reinforcements begin arriving.

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