Team insider reveals the latest on Brandon Woodruff's NLCS roster status

In many ways, the 2025 season was a triumphant one for long-time Milwaukee Brewer Brandon Woodruff. After a lengthy recovery process from a major shoulder surgery kept the Brewers' fan favorite away from a big-league mound for a season and a half, Woodruff's return to MLB was not only a feel-good story, it was highly successful.

The now 32-year-old right-hander, who also happens to be the longest-tenured Brewer on the team's 40-man roster, made 12 impressive starts during the regular season, pitching to a 3.20 ERA, while displaying a new style of pitching, one that emphasized efficiency and command, with Woody's previously overpowering stuff slightly nerfed by his shoulder reconstruction. The change demonstrated Woody's continued commitment to doing whatever it takes to help his team win, understanding that his effectiveness would be maximized by his ability to control the strike zone rather than overpower it as he used to be able to do. The result was Woodruff's highest strikeout rate and lowest walk rate of his major-league career.

When the Brewers started to look like a shoo-in for the postseason, there was potentially no player in Milwaukee's clubhouse more excited to get another crack at the playoffs than Woody. Not only was he one of the few current members of the team that was a part of the magical 2018 postseason run, a run in which the second-year Woodruff played an integral role in the team's success, but he also missed out on the past few postseasons, certainly increasing his yearn to return to October baseball.

As a result, when Woody went down with a lat injury back on September 18, it was especially devastating knowing that the injury could keep him off the roster when the postseason rolled around. Just before the team embarked on what became one of the most memorable postseason series in franchise history, an NLDS matchup with the Chicago Cubs, it was revealed that Woodruff was going to miss at least the team's first playoff series and more than likely the second one as well.

Now, with the NLCS on the horizon, long-time Brewers insider Adam McCalvy of MLB.com confirmed what the Milwaukee faithful feared to accept: Brandon Woodruff will not be a part of the NLCS roster.

Team insider reveals that Brandon Woodruff will officially not be a part of the Brewers' NLCS roster

Following Milwaukee's thrilling Game 5 victory over the Cubs on Saturday night, McCalvy made the following post on the social media platform X on Sunday morning, answering the biggest question that remained on the minds of Brewers fans.

It's an unfortunate blow for a Brewers team that could certainly use an extra starting pitcher right now. Having to resort to two bullpen games over the course of a five-game series in the NLDS, especially with three off-days baked into the schedule, only makes the prospect of getting through a seven-game series with just two off days that much more daunting. While the Brewers can certainly mix in a few pitchers that weren't a part of their NLDS roster in an effort to get some fresh arms on their pitching staff, having an experienced, true starting pitcher like Woodruff on their NLCS roster would have been huge.

However, Pat Murphy's squad is used to this kind of adversity, and the team was already preparing for a League Championship Series without Woodruff. Murphy constantly voices his dedication to ensuring that his players remain resilient when challenges present themselves, acknowledging that the Brewers have to overcome many more to be successful in MLB than most other organizations.

As a result, Murphy's group of players is more than up for the task of competing against the Los Angeles Dodgers without Woody on the bump. The Brewers' "next man up" mentality has shined through at countless points throughout the 2025 season, and this moment is no different. While Woody's absence from the NLCS roster is tough to swallow, it also creates an opportunity for guys like Chad Patrick to step up and prove what they are capable of. And with Woody still in the dugout offering guidance and support to his teammates, his value will still be felt as the Brewers continue their road to the World Series.