At long last, we have a date on the schedule for Brandon Woodruff’s long-awaited return to Milwaukee Brewers

NEW YORK – Six-hundred-fifty-two days later, it’s only fitting that Brandon Woodruff’s return to a major-league game will be climbing the bump at loanDepot Park.

As Woodruff reaches the summit of the mound this weekend in Miami, it also will mark the moment when the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander finishes his slow, arduous climb back from shoulder surgery. 

The last time Woodruff pitched in a regular season major-league game was Sept. 23, 2023, an outing that also took place in Miami against the Marlins. Not even two weeks later, he held back tears during a news conference held before the wild-card round of the playoffs announcing his season was over. 

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff watches from inside the dugout against the Philadelphia Phillies at American Family Field last season.

As it turned out, Woodruff’s next season was over, too, after undergoing intensive labrum surgery.

And now, the baseball gods have conspired to set up a return for Woodruff in the last place he toed an MLB rubber.

“That’s kind of strange,” Woodruff said. “The chances of that happening – the last place I pitched a major-league game and was on that mound, and that’s where things started going south for me. It’s weird how this game works, and how full-circle that comes around.

“Honestly, I don’t know how I’ll feel. I don’t know the emotions. I’ll just be excited to go pitch a Major League Baseball game again. Whatever happens, happens.”

Brandon Woodruff expected to return July 6

You can pencil in Woodruff for the Sunday, July 6, series finale with the Marlins, manager Pat Murphy announced prior to his team’s doubleheader July 2. The Brewers have hemmed and hawed a bit with the date Woodruff will pitch in recent days before the rainout of the series opener July 1 in New York pushed his start back a day, from July 5 to July 6. 

“I might as well tell you today. Looks like (Sunday),” Murphy said. “It’s not definite.”

If it indeed plays out as expected with Woodruff going in the finale in Miami, Chad Patrick would take the ball the day prior, giving Milwaukee a six-man rotation for at least one turn through. 

The journey back was anything but easy for Woodruff, even all the way to the end. Twice this season, he had his rehab stint ended and was returned to the injured list because of an injury suffered in what was supposed to be his final outing before rejoining the Brewers. Then, before his 10th rehab start overall June 29 with Class AAA Nashville, rain delayed the start of the game by 90 minutes. 

“I was very close to having to throw a live (session) in the batting cage,” Woodruff said. “I almost had to do that. But thank goodness (the rain) got out of there. I just wanted to get my pitches in and get out of it.” 

Woodruff has indicated all year that he will know when he’s ready to compete in the majors again. He feels that time has now come. 

“Now, it’s getting ready to prepare to pitch again in the major leagues and figure out how it’s going to work,” Woodruff said. “It’s like, I know how to pitch, but I’m fine-tuning sequencing, usage, stuff like that. There’s way more knowledge here, so I think I’ll have a much better idea how I want to do that. 

“... It’s just getting back into a routine and hopefully (I’ll) continue to stay healthy. I know if I can do that, I will figure out how to get guys out at a high level again. It’s just a matter of consistency, and that’s it. But getting here and knowing that I’m going to pitch again in the major leagues is exciting. It’s been a long time.”

Brandon Woodruff will focus on recovery, not results

Worth something, too, is how Woodruff’s stuff ticked up in his final rehab start over the weekend. He averaged 93.0 mph with his four-seam fastball, a noticeable jump up from when he was sitting 89-91 during his prior rehab stint, which ended with a line drive striking him on the right elbow on June 3.

Part of that, Woodruff said, is a result of what he called the best advice he got heading into the season, which came from Dr. Keith Meister, who told him that this season isn't about anything as much as it is about returning to health.

"I knew this was going to be a tough process in terms of I can't look at (results) and I have to get healthy," Woodruff said. "... I don't get too hung on the metrics but I do like to pay attention just to make sure stuff's not getting out of whack. Everything seemed to be pretty consistent, so I was pretty happy about that. And then it comes down to execution."

The chance to go out and execute is almost here for Woodruff.

At long last.

"I’m not going to lie. I’m happy to see Big Woo coming back," starting pitcher Freddy Peralta said. "I’ve said it before – he’s my favorite. We’re very close. We’re very good friends. I love him and his family, too. He’s very close with my family. I can’t wait to watch him pitch in a game."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: At long last, we have a date on the schedule for Brandon Woodruff’s long-awaited return to Milwaukee Brewers