MILWAUKEE — Brandon Woodruff took a real step toward a World Series comeback on Tuesday, throwing 23 pitches of live batting practice at American Family Field to several of the Brewers regular hitters. His fastball sat at 90 to 92 mph in his first session against batters since his shoulder flared up nearly four months ago.
Milwaukee must turn in its World Series roster Friday morning, hours before it hosts the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 at 8 p.m. Eastern. Club officials had not made a call on the veteran right-hander as of Tuesday, and Woodruff said he expected an answer within a couple of days once the team sees how his arm recovers.
Woodruff, the longest-tenured Brewer and a two-time All-Star, last pitched in a game on July 4. His surgically repaired shoulder began acting up again that day, and he was shut down with season-ending surgery set for August. Instead, his shoulder improved, his surgeon cleared a comeback try, and he spent more than five weeks on a throwing program before getting back on a mound during the division series against San Diego.
The roster question carries real risk. Major League rules let a club swap out a player hurt during a postseason series only when the problem is acute and not chronic, so a setback with a long-standing shoulder issue might leave Milwaukee playing a pitcher short. The front office asked the league office for guidance on that point.
Teams can carry 13 pitchers on a postseason roster, and the Brewers used that full number in the NLCS. Kyle Harrison, Chad Patrick and Antonio Senzatela did not pitch in that series, which makes the last bullpen spot the most likely place for Woodruff if the club adds him. Milwaukee is in its first World Series in 44 years after sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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