Brandon Woodruff was set to start World Series Game 4. Then Brewers changed the plan – Brandon Woodruff’s remarkable comeback was shaping up to become one of the most compelling stories of the 2026 World Series. After spending months dealing with a shoulder injury and facing the possibility of season-ending surgery, the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander had worked his way back into contention for a place on the team’s postseason roster. With Milwaukee preparing for Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Rays, the veteran pitcher appeared to be a potential candidate to take the mound and deliver a memorable return.
But the Brewers’ pitching plans were not as straightforward as they first appeared. Although Woodruff emerged as a possible option to start Game 4, Milwaukee had not committed to giving him a traditional starting role. Manager Pat Murphy and the team’s baseball operations staff were weighing how best to use a pitcher who had not appeared in a major league game since July 4.
The situation created plenty of intrigue. Woodruff was one of Milwaukee’s most experienced pitchers, a proven performer in important games, and a player who had spent years building a reputation as a dependable member of the rotation. Yet his long absence raised legitimate questions about how much he could contribute in baseball’s biggest series. With the Brewers seeking their first World Series championship, the decision was about more than a feel-good comeback. It was a matter of balancing Woodruff’s experience and potential against the risks of returning him to competitive action after months away. Brandon Woodruff was set to start World Series Game 4
Woodruff’s Unexpected Road Back to the World Series
Just a few months earlier, Woodruff’s season appeared to be over. The right-hander had been struggling with a recurring shoulder problem, and surgery was expected to end his 2026 campaign. For a pitcher who had already endured a lengthy recovery from shoulder surgery in 2023, the situation was especially frustrating. Woodruff had returned to the mound in 2025 after missing the entire 2024 season, only to encounter more health problems. In 2026, he made nine regular-season starts and recorded a 2.98 ERA over 45⅓ innings. Those numbers demonstrated that he could still be effective when healthy, but another shoulder setback interrupted his progress. Brandon Woodruff was set to start World Series Game 4
His last major league appearance came on July 4. After that outing, the Brewers shut him down while he and the medical staff assessed the injury. The prospect of another operation made his chances of returning during the postseason seem remote. Then the situation began to change. Woodruff continued working on his recovery, gradually resumed throwing, and eventually progressed to mound sessions and workouts against hitters. His improvement created an opportunity that had seemed almost impossible earlier in the summer.
By October, Milwaukee had advanced all the way to the World Series, giving Woodruff a chance to contribute to the franchise’s first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1982. The timing was remarkable, especially considering how close he had come to being ruled out for the season. The Brewers ultimately added Woodruff to their 26-man World Series roster on October 23, replacing right-hander Chad Patrick. That decision gave Milwaukee another experienced arm, although it did not establish exactly when or how Murphy would use him.
Why Game 4 Became a Potential Opportunity
The possibility of Woodruff starting Game 4 gained attention because Milwaukee’s pitching rotation required careful management during the World Series. With the Brewers relying on a combination of young starters and bullpen contributions, a flexible pitching plan could help the team navigate the demanding schedule. A traditional start, however, would present a different challenge from a brief relief appearance. Woodruff had thrown 23 pitches during a live batting practice session shortly before the World Series began, but facing hitters in practice is not the same as competing in a high-pressure major league game. Brandon Woodruff was set to start World Series Game 4
That distinction mattered when considering how many innings he could reasonably handle. Woodruff had been working his way back toward competition, but there was little evidence that he had completed the full buildup normally required of a starting pitcher. One possible solution was to use him as an opener. In baseball, an opener starts the game and faces a limited number of hitters before another pitcher takes over for the bulk of the innings. This strategy could allow Milwaukee to benefit from Woodruff’s ability without asking him to carry a conventional starter’s workload.
Another option was to use him in relief, where Murphy could select a particular situation for his return. That approach would provide flexibility, although the timing of a relief appearance can be difficult to predict. A starter generally has more control over his preparation, while a reliever must be ready when the game demands it. Murphy had made clear that both starting and relief roles were under consideration. The uncertainty meant that Woodruff’s inclusion on the roster should not be mistaken for confirmation that he would start Game 4. For Milwaukee, the goal was to find the role that offered the greatest chance of helping the team win without placing unnecessary demands on a pitcher whose health remained a concern.
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