Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff will miss the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs as he continues his recovery from a strained right lat.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy didn’t rule out a return later in the postseason for the 32-year-old Woodruff.

Woodruff reportedly has his sights on pitching in the World Series if the Brewers advance that far.

“Obviously bad timing, you know, for kind of how it went down,” Woodruff said Friday. “Just getting to this point and being able to — like my main goal was to be healthy at the end of the year and pitch in the playoffs and do the whole thing.”

Woodruff last pitched for Milwaukee on Sept. 17. Three days later, he felt discomfort while throwing a bullpen session.

Woodruff sought second and third opinions on the injury to try to get a feel on whether he could return this season. He has been told the injury isn’t related to the serious shoulder injury he sustained in 2023.

“He’s looking into everything he possibly can to try to get healthy as soon as he can, but he has a long career ahead of him,” Murphy said. “But just the news that the shoulder is 100 percent intact is the most important part.”

Woodruff has yet to begin playing catch, making it doubtful in Murphy’s eye that he’d available for the NL Championship Series if the Brewers win the series with the Cubs.

“The longer you keep going, the longer you get days out of this thing, the better the chance,” Woodruff said. “We’ll just have to cross that bridge when we get there.”

The two-time All-Star went 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 12 starts this season. He made his 2025 debut on July 6.

Woodruff missed all of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery following the 2023 season.

Woodruff is 53-28 with a 3.10 ERA in 142 career appearances (127 starts) since reaching the majors with the Brewers in 2017.

Freddy Peralta (17-6, 2.70 ERA) will pitch Saturday’s series opener for Milwaukee. Chicago has not yet announced its Game 1 starter.

–Field Level Media