It may be a long shot, but two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff would love to have a spot on the Milwaukee Brewers' World Series roster.
The one-time staff ace hasn't pitched since going 3⅔ innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 4 due to right shoulder inflammation. However, he was at American Family Field on Tuesday, Oct. 20, throwing 23 pitches to several of the Brewers' best hitters − Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, William Contreras, Christian Yelich and Jake Bauers.
Once his shoulder flared up for a second time after spending nearly two months on the injured list in May and June, Woodruff was supposed to undergo season-ending surgery in August. However, he gradually started feeling better and opted for another attempt at building up his arm
strength.
He's since progressed to throwing off the mound, and in Tuesday's session, registered between 90 and 92 mph with his fastball. It's an encouraging sign for him ... but it could make things much more difficult for the Brewers' decision-makers with the final roster due on Friday morning.
“I know where I’m at. I’ve only faced live hitters once and the World Series starts in three days,” Woodruff told MLB.com. “As far as a decision, I haven’t heard anything. I’m sure they are discussing it.”
Woodruff said he'll see how his shoulder reacts over the next couple days.
"I get it from their vantage point. The apprehensions, I understand that," he said. "All I could do was put myself in a position to be an option.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Injured Brewers ace Brandon Woodruff wants to return for World Series
