Brandon Woodruff has experienced a rollercoaster year with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The two-time All-Star barely pitched during the regular season because of right shoulder injuries, making only nine starts for Milwaukee.

Woodruff did not pitch at all during the second half. His last appearance came against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 4, leaving considerable uncertainty about whether he would make the Brewers’ postseason roster, much less appear in the World Series.

The right-hander posted a 2.98 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 45.1 innings over nine starts this season, with 47 strikeouts.

Woodruff is a homegrown star and one of the primary reasons Milwaukee’s trajectory changed. The Brewers have developed into one of MLB’s most consistent regular season winners in recent years, but the organization was not always in this position.

Woodruff and Christian Yelich have served as franchise pillars while helping Milwaukee reach another level.

The Brewers’ World Series appearance represents the culmination of several years filled with difficult experiences.

Woodruff has been with the Brewers since 2017 and he’s played an important role in moving the team toward this opportunity, even though his physical problems prevented him from contributing throughout most of 2026.

On Monday, Woodruff finally returned to the mound for the first time in nearly four months.

With Milwaukee holding a 10-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the World Series, manager Pat Murphy summoned him to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning.

The 33-year-old completed his assignment by recording the final three outs. Woodruff allowed one run on two hits and struck out one batter during his World Series debut.

Milwaukee finished the game with a 10-1 victory and moved within one win of securing the first World Series title in franchise history.

Whether Woodruff pitches again during the series remains uncertain. Even without another appearance, he received his first opportunity to participate in the Fall Classic after spending months working toward a return.

Woodruff’s willingness to continue preparing despite repeated shoulder trouble reflects the persistence required to survive a difficult season.

Woodruff could not control when his body would allow him to pitch, but he remained engaged and positioned himself for an opportunity when Milwaukee needed to finalize its World Series roster.

Returning in a low-pressure situation also allowed him to experience the mound without being asked to protect a narrow lead. He still had to overcome the unfamiliarity created by such a long absence and finish a game carrying enormous importance for the franchise.

Woodruff’s history with Milwaukee made the moment particularly meaningful. He was part of the team’s rise long before its current World Series run and remained connected to that journey while injured.

His World Series debut was brief, but it ensured that one of the Brewers’ longest-standing pillars took an active part in a moment the organization had spent years pursuing.