Opening Day is closing in, and Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff is making his way back to the mound for his team for at least one more season. 

Recent years have compelled him to watch from the dugout more often than not due to injuries. However, Woodruff accepted a one-year qualifying offer in November worth $22 million, the highest average annual value ever given to a Brewers pitcher. 

The organization has poured its belief into Woodruff, and he recently talked with Ashley Washburn of TMJ4 News in Milwaukee about his journey through injuries and what it meant to return to the organization. 

“As a competitor, it crushes you because you want to be out there with your teammates,” Woodruff said. 

Woodruff returned from a long shoulder surgery recovery that caused him to miss the 2024 season and a significant portion of 2025. 

He made his return to the mound on July 6 and finished the 2025 regular season with a 7-2 record and a 3.20 ERA. However, a lat strain suffered in the middle of September caused him to miss a third straight postseason. 

Woodruff’s injury history was becoming lengthy, and it could have negatively impacted his prospects as a free agent. 

“You gotta try to find out what your market is very fast and sometimes it's hard to do unless you're just a slam dunk guy that's gonna go sign the mega contract,” Woodruff said. “Like you gotta feel these things out, and in my case, you know, the lat strain probably hampered me a little bit.” 

However, he believed Milwaukee was where he belonged. 

“I think I knew it in my heart, this is where I needed to be,” he said. “Obviously I've been here my whole career and if I had to spend, you know, anywhere in the major leagues pitching one year, I would do it here.” 

It is hard to say what the long-term future holds for Woodruff, but for now, he remains a Milwaukee Brewer, and he is ready to prove himself.  

“Yeah, of course,” he said. “And you know, I caught myself the other day speaking and I was like, look, I'm in it with you guys. Like I have a lot left to prove like and I'm not old, but I'm not just the old guy that's kind of fizzling out and I'm here because I've got experience like I still have a lot to prove.” 

For Woodruff, it begins with being available.  

“I just want to be healthy,” he said. “If I can be on the field, that stuff will take care of itself. But the ultimate goal is to win a World Series and win playoff games as a team.” 

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