Woodruff Closes Out Game 3 in Emotional Return for Brewers

Brandon Woodruff pitched the ninth inning to close out Milwaukee's Game 3 win over Tampa Bay, allowing one run and two hits while striking out one batter. The appearance marked his first game action since July 4 and pushed the Brewers to a 3-0 lead in the 2026 World Series.

Milwaukee's eight-run fifth inning had already put the game out of reach, but Woodruff's outing carried its own significance. The right-hander made his major league debut with the Brewers in 2017 at Tropicana Field, the same ballpark where he recorded his first World Series appearance. sweden prime minister polls 2026 magdalena andersson ulf kristersson

Woodruff's return followed an extended absence tied to shoulder inflammation, which sidelined him for much of the season after his July 4 outing. He chose not to undergo season-ending surgery this time, a decision that stood in contrast to the fall of 2023, when he had surgery that cost him part of the 2024 season. His recovery remained a point of concern through 2025, when he made just 12 regular-season starts.

Questions over his health lingered into the postseason, including whether he would even make Milwaukee's World Series roster. Manager Pat Murphy ultimately included him, though his role was unclear until Game 3. Now in his 10th major league season, all spent with the Brewers, Woodruff and his teammates sit one win away from a World Series title.