It has been quite the year for Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff. Coming into the season, he was working his way back from shoulder surgery and was not able to make his debut until July, but was great when he did return.
He was a vital part of the team's starting rotation, but he would be hit with another injury late into the regular season. He was placed on the 15-day IL on September 21 with a moderate right lat strain.
His move to the IL ended his regular season, but luckily, Milwaukee received a first-round bye, giving Woodruff and the rest of the team some much-needed extra rest. However, it was not enough time for Woodruff to return for their upcoming NLDS series against the Chicago Cubs.
Brandon Woodruff out for NLDS, Brewers hopeful for NLCS/World Series return
According to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy, Pat Murphy spoke on Woodruff's potential availability for this series. Here, the skipper revealed that Woodruff would officially be ruled out for the NLDS.
"Brandon Woodruff will not pitch in the NLDS, Pat Murphy said. But the good news is that the lat issue is separate from the shoulder repair. Brewers are not ruling out Woodruff pitching later in the postseason if they advance."
While Woodruff will not pitch in the upcoming series, there is some good news that came from this. His lat issue is not affecting the shoulder he had surgery on, and the club is hopeful he can return if they advance.
An NLCS or World Series return could be something that comes to fruition. However, they cannot look past the Cubs. Chicago has a scrappy bunch that could test the Brewers after having the week off.