Woodruff would love World Series roster spot, but understands why it might not happen

MILWAUKEE – Brandon Woodruff threw 23 live pitches to the Brewers’ “A” lineup at American Family Field on Tuesday and sat 90-92 mph, right where he’d expect in an empty stadium while facing hitters for the first time in nearly four months.

He would love to be on the World Series roster. He also knows it is a difficult decision for the club. A roster is due Friday morning ahead of Game 1 against the Rays.

Either way, the franchise’s longest-tenured player did his part to put himself in play.

“I know where I’m at. I’ve only faced live hitters once and the World Series starts in three days,” Woodruff told MLB.com after facing Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, William Contreras and Christian Yelich, then NLCS MVP Jake Bauers when he needed a few more pitches to get to the prescribed count. “As far as a decision, I haven’t heard anything. I’m sure they are discussing it.”

Regardless of this situation, Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold, manager Pat Murphy & Co. would wait until the very last moment to make final decisions on the roster. But Woodruff’s case is particularly unique, a veteran who means as much to the Brewers’ pitching culture as Yelich means to the position player group, but who has not pitched in a game since July 4. That’s when his surgically repaired shoulder started barking for the second time this season, prompting a shutdown and season-ending surgery scheduled for August.

Then something unexpected happened. Woodruff started healing. His surgeon signed off on a comeback attempt and Woodruff spent more than five weeks building strength in a throwing program before throwing off a mound between Games 2 and 3 of the NLDS against the Padres. He threw off the mound again in Los Angeles during the NLCS.

The schedule had to cooperate at each step of the way, and it did when the Brewers beat the Dodgers in four games, leaving time for a series of workouts this week in Milwaukee.

“They’ll want to see how I bounce back in the next couple of days, which is fair,” Woodruff said. “I’ll probably have an answer in the next couple of days.”

He’s at peace, whatever happens.

“I’m not going to be mad either way, you know what I mean?” he said. “There’s all the stuff we’ve been through, but then there’s the other side. I get it from their vantage point. The apprehensions, I understand that. All I could do was put myself in a position to be an option.”

A report from The Athletic early Tuesday explained that apprehension. Major League rules say a player can be replaced on the roster if he’s injured during a postseason series, but only if he suffers “an acute, non-chronic injury or ailment,” per a report from Ken Rosenthal. Would a setback for Woodruff at this point fit that criteria? Or would the Brewers have to play the rest of the series a man down, were something to go wrong?

In a text, Arnold said, “Still working through our meetings.”

Woodruff understands.

“Look, this is a big decision,” he said. “There’s a lot that goes into it. It’s not just as simple as one decision one way or the other.

“Obviously, the competitor in me wants to be suited up for our first World Series in 44 years. Who knows if I would even pitch? That’s all the stuff that has to be thought out. I realize how important this is as it’s become more of a reality. I’ve done everything I can do, so it’s special either way.”

Being out and about with his wife and two children since the Brewers returned home from California has left no doubt what this opportunity means to Milwaukee.

“This city is buzzing, man,” Woodruff said. “I know I’ve been here a long time, but this ain’t about me. This is about this organization, this city, and trying to win its first World Series. That’s the message. That’s the goal. I want to win.”