Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff Set to Start Fifth Game of Season Against Rays
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff is scheduled to start the team’s fifth game of the 2026 season on March 31 against the Tampa Bay Rays, a welcome development for a rotation lacking experience. Woodruff has been working his way back to full health after missing the postseason with a lat strain.
Recovery and Preparation
Woodruff expressed satisfaction with his recovery process, stating he felt prepared to return to action. “I felt like personally I was in a excellent spot,” Woodruff said before the Brewers’ exhibition game with the Cincinnati Reds. “I was recovering. My pitch count is probably obviously a little less than some of the guys coming out of camp, but I felt like I was recovering. I felt like the stuff was there and coming along. I didn’t feel like I necessarily wanted to go pitch in minor league games, pretty much is the way I felt about it.”
Rotation Impact and Other Pitching News
Woodruff’s return bolsters a Brewers rotation that will begin the season without Quinn Priester, who is dealing with a nerve issue related to thoracic outlet syndrome. Manager Pat Murphy anticipates Priester’s return in early May, if his recovery progresses as expected. “I think you’ll see (Priester) in early May if all goes well,” Murphy said.
Jacob Misiorowski will start the season opener against the Chicago White Sox. Brandon Sproat will start the final two games of the series against the White Sox, and Kyle Harrison will start the first game of the series against the Rays. Woodruff, 33, returns to the Brewers after accepting a $22.025 million qualifying offer during the offseason.
Brewers’ Pitching Outlook
The Brewers’ rotation features a mix of young pitchers and veteran leadership, with Woodruff providing crucial experience. The team is aiming for a fourth consecutive National League Central division title.
“I think that’s an encouraging sign, right?” Murphy said. “We didn’t expect him to be in the team this early, but the way things are going, he feels in great shape and ready. You have to trust the player.”
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