Brandon Woodruff isn’t on the Milwaukee Brewers’ National League Division Series roster.
But that didn’t stop him from making an early morning arrival at American Family Field on Saturday, Oct. 3, in advance of his team’s Game 1 matchup against the San Diego Padres.
“This is Year 9 for me, eight in the playoffs. And it’s gone by in the blink of an eye,” he said. “So, just taking a step back, enjoying these days, relishing these days. I was at the ballpark at, like, 11:30 a.m. A little too early. But that’s OK. I was excited.
“I’m not participating in the series, but I’m just excited for our team, our organization, the city.”
Indeed, Woodruff is not among the 13 Brewers pitchers who made the cut this round. But that comes as no surprise to anyone, with the right-hander having been sidelined by his troublesome right shoulder since July 5 and having pitched in games only three times since late April.
After Woodruff’s last appearance, on July 4 at Arizona, it appeared as though the 33-year-old would be done for the remainder of the season with surgery. The procedure was actually on the calendar for August when surgeon Dr. Keith Meister advised Woodruff against proceeding and instead suggested a lengthy throwing program.
So Woodruff proceeded down that road with an eye on potentially returning at some point in the postseason, dependent, of course, on how deeply the Brewers advanced.
Woodruff indicated Saturday he’s checking the boxes so far in the run-up but that there’s still a ways to go.
“I’m progressing, getting to a point where I can get off the mound here pretty soon,” Woodruff said. “Last few throwing progressions, or times out, throwing has been pretty good. Just trying to get to a spot where I’m comfortable.
“I don’t have an exact date, but very soon.”
It would likely take a run to the World Series for Woodruff to get himself into actual consideration for a roster spot, he admitted.
“Things still have to go right for me leading up to this,” he said. “The team has to play great. We’ve put ourselves in that position. But I’m at least going through the proper steps to try to give myself an opportunity. And obviously, the clock’s ticking here with the amount of days.
“I always have a belief that I can get guys out at any moment, and I think that’ll never leave me. But if we can get to that moment, I would love the opportunity and the chance to be able to do it and give myself that opportunity.
“So, that’s what I’m shooting for.”
Woodruff took Milwaukee’s $22 million qualifying offer last November but managed to make only nine starts in all, going 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA, WHIP of 0.84 and 47 strikeouts in 45⅓ innings despite throwing a fastball with less zip than it’s ever had in his career.
He was initially shut down after an April 30 start with “dead shoulder” and missed roughly seven weeks before returning with one of the better starts of his career, a six-inning, one-hit, 10-strikeout shutout at Cincinnati over six innings.
Woodruff made only one more “normal” start after that before needing to exit his July 4 outing after just 3⅔ innings.
In pushing to potentially come back in the playoffs for the Brewers, Woodruff acknowledged there is some risk involved considering he’ll be a free agent after the season and isn’t in a space currently where he’s considering closing the door on his career.
“I’ve said this before – whether it’s smart or not, I don’t know. But it’s just in me,” said Woodruff, who delivered one of the biggest postseason moments in franchise history with his 2018 NLCS homer off Clayton Kershaw but hasn’t pitched in the playoffs since 2021 due to his shoulder issues.
“How many times do you get a chance to pitch in the World Series?” he continued. “This is my ninth year. We’ve never gotten to do it. 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 OK with it.”
Return or not, Woodruff has already cemented his status as one of the most beloved players in Brewers history.
“There’s just a great relationship, if you will, between Woody and the Brewers,” manager Pat Murphy said. “He feels so connected and he really cares about his teammates. When he first came into the league, he understood the responsibility of being a teammate and he took it to the fullest, and he lives that now with the injuries and the setbacks he’s had.
“He’s earned so much respect because most of these guys don’t know the old Woody. They don’t know the guy that stood there pumping high 90s and attacking. But they know what they’ve seen when he’s pitched for us at 92 like he’s got 99, and very effectively.
“That’s the beauty of what Woody has done. He’s been super effective with whatever’s coming up and they see that and they earn respect for it. So, his words matter in there.”
Game 2 starter Logan Henderson added: “He’s been an incredible leader. I’ve learned so much from him this year, especially the last few months. He works his tail off every single day. I know he’s trying to get back right now. He makes our team better, even when he’s not pitching.
“It’s awesome to be around him.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brandon Woodruff holding out hope for a potential World Series return