MILWAUKEE — Brandon Woodruff's one-month sprint to return for the Milwaukee Brewers' World Series run paid off in the biggest way.

Woodruff, the Milwaukee Brewers' senior member of the pitching staff, was included on the 26-man roster submitted to Major League Baseball hours before Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, Oct. 23, a significant surprise since he hasn't pitched since July 4 due to a shoulder capsule injury.

Woodruff replaces right-handed reliever Chad Patrick on the roster.

Woodruff, 33, initially believed the injury would require surgery. But he and medical professionals determined in August that he could rehab the injury and avoid surgery, and began a throwing program knowing the Brewers were playoff locks.

Yet rostering Woodruff does not come without risk for the Brewers: While injured players can be replaced mid-series, they must remain on the roster if the injury was, essentially, a pre-existing condition.

Woodruff pitched a live batting practice session this week and manager Pat Murphy said Thursday that Woodruff impressed hitters. Just as Woodruff impressed the Brewers in his comeback attempt.

"It's almost incredible that the kid has worked his way back," Murphy said Thursday, noting roster deliberations were going to be challenging. "His mind was on this. He was very quiet about it, but his mind was on this.

"It's kind of incredible, and he threw the ball really well."

Woodruff has pitched nine seasons with the Brewers, sitting out the 2024 season due to shoulder injury. He last pitched July 4 but posted a 2.98 ERA in his nine starts.

"It hasn't been easy getting to this point," Woodruff said Thursday. "But I'm here now. And that's all I can ask for. I just want to be an option.

"I could see it either way."

Brewers roster for World Series

CATCHERS (2) — William Contreras, Gary Sánchez

INFIELDERS (6) — Jake Bauers, David Hamilton, Joey Ortiz, Brice Turang, Cooper Pratt, Andrew Vaughn

OUTFIELDERS (5) — Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Luis Lara, Garrett Mitchell, Christian Yelich