Brandon Woodruff

Woodruff returned to the mound in 2025 and was highly effective on a per-inning basis, posting a 3.20 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and an elite 32.3% strikeout rate across 64.2 innings. His 5.4% walk rate was a career best, and opponents managed just a .188 batting average with a .573 OPS against him, reinforcing that his bat-missing ability remains intact. However, the sample size again tells the story — he has been oft injured in recent seasons, logging just 12 starts in 2025 after making only 11 in 2023. The 2026 projections reflect that duality: strong ratios and a healthy strikeout total on a per-start basis, but with workload expectations tempered relative to his 2021 ace peak (179.1 IP, 2.56 ERA). When active, Woodruff still profiles as a high-end SP2 with SP1-level efficiency, yet durability risk keeps him from being drafted in that tier. Fantasy managers should bake in missed time and pair him with safer innings volume rather than relying on him as a staff anchor.

Brandon Woodruff (lat) expected to start season with rotation

Woodruff (lat) said one day earlier that his Opening Day status remained uncertain. The Brewers now indicate he is projected to open the season in the starting rotation.

Fantasy Impact

He has a two-up live batting practice session planned for Sunday, with game action to follow. Woodruff last surpassed 70 innings pitched in the majors during the 2022 season.