Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Chad Patrick. Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Brewers demote Rookie of the Year candidate to make room for Brandon Woodruff

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 6:01 PM ET

683 days ago, Brandon Woodruff took the mound for the Milwaukee Brewers in Miami as they took on the Marlins. Now, for the first time in nearly two years, he is taking the mound for the Brewers again.

It has been a grueling two seasons for Woodruff, who needed shoulder surgery for an injury that cost him most of the 2023 season and all of the 2024 season. As he tried to continue his rehab in 2025, freak injuries kept occurring. He developed ankle tendonitis, which set him back a few days. Then, he was struck on the elbow by a line drive that, thankfully, did not cause any serious injury but resulted in some swelling.

But the long wait is finally over. Milwaukee’s two-time All-Star is set to start on Sunday afternoon when the Brewers take on the Marlins in the rubber match of their series.

Brewers send Chad Patrick to Triple-A to make room for Woodruff

Milwaukee Brewers Demote 2025 NL Rookie of the Year Candidate to Make Room for Brandon Woodruff 1 Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Chad Patrick (39) throws during the first inning of their game against the Houston Astros Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In Woodruff’s absence this year, the Brewers had built a strong starting five-man rotation consisting of Freddy Peralta, Jacob Misiorowski, Jose Quintana, Chad Patrick and Quinn Priester. Peralta and Quintana are the only veterans on that staff.

But as good as Milwaukee’s rookies have been, something had to give when Woodruff came back. It was Patrick who was sent to Triple-A to make room for him on the roster:

Today’s roster moves pic.twitter.com/M67NCNGxXB

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 6, 2025

Patrick, who is 3-7 on the season, has pitched a lot better than his record indicates. His 3.52 ERA is the best among National League rookies, leading many national writers to consider him a serious candidate for NL Rookie of the Year.

“The Brewers have sorted through rotation options all season, with 13 pitchers making at least one start. Patrick has been a steadying force, joining Freddy Peralta as the only Brewers to make more than nine starts," Jeffrey Lutz of MLB.com wrote. "Patrick isn’t just a workhorse, either – he didn’t allow more than three earned runs in a start before surrendering five against the Braves on June 11. Patrick, the NL’s only rookie pitcher who is qualified for the ERA title, leads the class in strikeouts and innings pitched.”

While the demotion of Patrick may be disappointing, Brewers fans can rejoice in the return of Woodruff, a two-time All-Star looking to defy the odds and continue his major league career after suffering a devastating shoulder injury.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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