Milwaukee Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff made a long-awaited comeback on Sunday, helping his team seal a 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins and clinch the three-game series.
Woodruff, who had been sidelined since September 2023 due to a shoulder injury and further setbacks during rehab, finally returned to the mound nearly two years later. He delivered six scoreless innings, showcasing the form that once made him a cornerstone of the Brewers’ rotation.
The game was decided in part by Jackson Chourio, who launched a two-run home run that gave Milwaukee the lead they wouldn’t give up. With strong support from the bullpen, the Brewers closed out the game, adding another win to their playoff push.
After the game, Woodruff reflected on the long road back and how his body felt in his return outing.
“Physically, the body is in a good spot,” he said. “Everything that happened through the rehab — the ankle issue, getting hit in the elbow — it kind of gave me more time to reset. I threw 70 pitches today. I wasn’t worn out, but I could feel it a bit.”
His return adds depth to an already stacked Brewers rotation. Milwaukee, now holding a two-game advantage over the Padres in the National League Wild Card race, might even consider trading from their rotation surplus to address weaknesses in the infield as the trade deadline approaches.
Even without Woodruff for most of the season, the Brewers have held strong in the NL Central. One of the key reasons is rookie sensation Jacob Misiorowski, who’s been dominant in his early starts and consistently throws over 100 MPH. With both Misiorowski and Woodruff now part of the same rotation, Milwaukee’s playoff hopes are looking increasingly realistic.
The Brewers continue their push toward the postseason with momentum and a healthier pitching staff, with Woodruff’s return being a timely boost for a team looking to make noise down the stretch.
