The Milwaukee Brewers received some unexpected good news regarding their rotation on Saturday.

Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that pitcher Brandon Woodruff will start what is expected to be a five-week throwing progression on Wednesday. Woodruff was originally expected to miss the rest of the 2026 season due to right shoulder surgery, but additional tests in early August showed enough healing that surgery would not be necessary.

Barring any setbacks, the five-week timeline would give Woodruff time to return to the Brewers for the playoffs. He will be re-evaluated at the end of those five weeks, at which point his availability for the postseason would be determined.

Brandon Woodruff could be an X-factor for Milwaukee Brewers in the postseason 

Woodruff has been a key part of the Brewers pitching staff when healthy. He has posted a 2.98 ERA and a 0.838 WHiP over his 45.1 innings this season, striking out 47 batters with 10 walks. However, Woodruff only made nine appearances for the Brewers as he missed time earlier in the year with right shoulder inflammation.

Injuries have been an ongoing concern for Woodruff. He has made just 32 appearances since the start of the 2023 season due to a myriad of injuries and missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing right shoulder capsule surgery. Those injuries have kept Woodruff from appearing in a postseason game for the Brewers since 2021.

If Woodruff can complete his throwing progression and continue healing, he could be a vital part of the Brewers' postseason aspirations. Jacob Misiorowski, Kyle Harrison and Logan Henderson would likely hold down the top three spots in a playoff rotation, but the fourth starter spot is unsettled. Likewise, Woodruff could work out of the bullpen and could be another late-inning weapon during the postseason.