MILWAUKEE – Brandon Woodruff doesn’t know if it’s possible or even wise, but he’s decided to make a run at a late-season comeback for the Brewers – provided they can play deep into October.
Woodruff, the longest-tenured Brewer who scuttled plans for season-ending shoulder surgery in August when scans showed a surprising amount of healing, had more scans last week after completing a five-week throwing program and got the blessing of his surgeon, Dr. Keith Meister, to attempt throwing off a mound.
When? Soon, said Woodruff during the Brewers’ workout Friday on the eve of Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Padres. Not this weekend, but soon.
“I know the clock is ticking against me,” he said. “But I’m trying, that’s for sure. Whether it’s smart or not, I don’t know. But if it means pitching in the World Series …”
There are significant hurdles to clear before having that discussion. First, he would have to throw off a mound. Then, he would have to show he can bounce back from those sessions. Then, he would have to face hitters in some format. Then, the team would have to determine whether such a risk would be worth the reward. All in the next three weeks.
And, of course, the Brewers would have to get to the World Series in the first place.
But Woodruff is opting for the optimistic approach after some particularly encouraging flat-ground throwing sessions this week, including one Friday in which he made 75-80 throws out to 120 feet, finishing with 20 high-intensity deliveries from 60 feet.
It’s progress. Woodruff missed the 2023, '24 and '25 postseasons because of injuries related to his shoulder, and he hates the idea of missing another.
“It’s keeping me engaged,” he said. “I don’t have to just sit here like a potato. I’m getting ready myself. That’s why I say I know the clock is ticking against me. But I’d be damned if I don’t at least try to put myself in the position.”
Final roster decisions
Will right-hander Dustin May be on the NLDS roster after slumping to the finish line? What about Kyle Harrison after losing his spot in the starting rotation?
Regarding May, “We’re not done having those conversations,” president of baseball operations Matt Arnold said Friday afternoon. “I would say that he’s been a big part of what we’ve been doing here. He’s had some good success against the Padres. We’ll have that conversation finalized by the end of the day.”
And Harrison?
“He’s had ups and downs this year, certainly,” Arnold said. “What we’ve seen in the last couple of outings is really good stuff, maybe not the best results at times. But honestly, I think some really encouraging signs from him.”
The Brewers also face a final decision on third baseman Joey Ortiz, who sat out the final two games of the regular season with abdominal and right knee injuries. Murphy said Ortiz was trending in the right direction to be included on the roster, but that was before Ortiz limped through infield practice.
A 26-man roster for the NLDS round is due at 10 a.m. CT Saturday.
Changing expectations
It’s been almost 20 years since the Brewers’ first postseason appearance of the Mark Attanasio ownership tenure, and times have changed.
“The first time was against the Phillies in 2008, and I was just thrilled to be there,” he said. “We had not been in the playoffs since 1982, 26 years. So this is very different. There’s a higher expectation. Then, I’m not sure we had an expectation.
“We always say when we're having champagne dumped on our heads that it doesn’t get tiring. And I’ll also say the anxiety doesn’t go away. I was very relaxed here on Monday and a little more on edge today.”
Turning point for The Miz
As Jacob Misiorowski prepares to make his first start in the postseason, manager Pat Murphy was asked the point this season at which he saw a pitcher who had turned the corner from prospect to ace.
Murphy mentioned June 7 at Colorado, when Misiorowski faced a seventh-inning jam, sensed the club was about to make a pitching change, and made clear that wasn’t happening by looking at catcher William Contreras and repeatedly mouthing the word “no” before staring into the dugout.
“He’s kind of coasting through it, like, ‘This game doesn't have my juices going,’” Murphy said. “They've got two of their better hitters coming up. We've got the bullpen going. And it's like, God, he gives up two baserunners or something and he's 3-1 on everybody. And we're looking around [thinking], ‘Hey, let's get him out of there.’ And he looked in there, he looked at me and I looked at him and I said, ‘Are you okay?’ He looked at me and pointed, like, ‘I got this.’ I'm like, ‘Are you sure?’ He's like, ‘I got this.’
“And it told me that he realized [he] wasn't on the right channel or his focus wasn't in the right mindset. And he flipped it and could do it. I was proud of him for that. I saw signs of that throughout the year. He's just continually pitched well without his best stuff. And that's a sign. That is a sign.”
NLCS ticket info
The Brewers have announced details for purchasing single-game tickets to potential NL Championship Series games at American Family Field. Wisconsin residents will receive early access through a special postseason ticket presale on Monday at 10 a.m. CT. Fans can verify their residency and access the presale at brewers.com/Postseason. Then single-game tickets for the NLCS will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday at noon CT.
If the Brewers advance, Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 would take place at American Family Field. Fans will get automatically refunded for any games that are not played.