The Milwaukee Brewers made a notable roster adjustment ahead of Game 1 of the 2026 World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, opting to include veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff at the expense of Chad Patrick.
With both clubs submitting their 26-man rosters Friday afternoon for the series opener at American Family Field, Milwaukee largely stuck with the group that carried it through the National League Division Series and Championship Series.
The lone significant shift involved Woodruff, the franchise’s longest-tenured player, who earned a spot on the active roster after working his way back from a shoulder issue that had sidelined him since early July.
Woodruff’s inclusion required leaving Patrick, a versatile right-handed reliever, off the 26-man group. Patrick delivered a solid regular season, finishing 9-4 with a 3.40 ERA across 57 appearances, six of them starts.
He logged 106 innings, struck out 93 batters, and posted a 1.236 WHIP while showing the ability to work multiple innings when needed.
He also performed well during Milwaukee’s 2025 postseason, recording a 2.00 ERA over six appearances and nine innings with 11 strikeouts. Yet he did not appear in any games during the Brewers’ 2026 playoff run, remaining unused on the roster through both the NLDS and NLCS.
Unless an injury creates an opening, Patrick will not pitch in the World Series.
The decision carries some risk for Milwaukee, given the rules governing roster replacements during the series; the team had previously expressed caution about activating Woodruff and then being unable to swap him out easily if he experienced a setback.
Woodruff, a two-time All-Star, had been a candidate for season-ending surgery earlier in the summer after dealing with inflammation in the anterior capsule of his right shoulder, an area that required surgical repair after the 2023 campaign.
Instead, he progressed enough through live sessions and simulated work to convince the organization he was ready for the Fall Classic, marking the first time in his career he will be eligible to pitch on baseball’s biggest stage.
Fan reaction reflected the mixed emotions of the move. Supporters celebrated Woodruff’s return after years of injury interruptions, viewing it as a feel-good development for a popular, longtime Brewer.
At the same time, many expressed surprise that Patrick was the pitcher displaced, noting his strong season and contributions to the club’s success.
Local radio voice Dominic Cotroneo of 620 WTMJ described the omission as a significant disappointment for Patrick, who had reportedly been encouraged by the quality of his stuff in recent live work despite limited game action.
Other fans called the snub baffling given Patrick’s regular-season production and the team’s depth, while still acknowledging the appeal of having Woodruff available.
With the series underway Friday night, Milwaukee’s pitching staff now includes Woodruff among its 13 arms alongside a mix of starters and relievers who helped the club reach this point.
The Brewers enter the matchup seeking the franchise’s first World Series title, and the roster choice underscores the delicate balance between rewarding a veteran’s perseverance and managing the immediate needs of a deep, successful bullpen.
