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'He’s My Favorite, I Love Him;' Milwaukee Brewers Ace Freddy Peralta Is Excited for 2x All-Star’s Return

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 11:13 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers started their six-game road trip by splitting a Wednesday doubleheader with the New York Mets. Milwaukee won the first game 7-2 behind a dominating performance by ace Freddy Peralta and a the first career grand slam for shortstop Joey Ortiz. Unfortunately, they dropped the second game after Jacob Misiorowski proved to human after all, failing to make it out of the fourth inning after giving up five runs.

But as the Brewers look to take the series on Thursday, both players and fans are excited for Sunday’s game, which will be the finale of a three-game tilt with the Miami Marlins. This is because Sunday is penciled in as the day that two-time All-Star starter Brandon Woodruff will make his first Major League start since 2023.

Milwaukee Brewers Ace Freddy Peralta Is Excited to Have Brandon Woodruff Back

Injured Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff acknowledges the cheers of fans as heads out to throw the ceremonial first pitch before their wild-card playoff game against the New York Mets Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis.

On Wednesday, Peralta strengthened his case for his own second career All-Star appearance by throwing six innings of two run ball against the Mets while allowing two hits, one walk, and striking out six.

Ever since Corbin Burnes was traded, it has been Peralta who has led Milwaukee’s starting rotation as its ace. And he has certainly lived up to the title this season, currently sitting at 9-4 with a 2.91 ERA.

And while the Brewers have a good young rotation behind him, Peralta is excited to have his old teammate back on the Major League roster. After the first game of the doubleheader, he was asked all of the veteran starting pitchers, including Woodruff, coming back and how that may affect the team going forward.

“He’s my favorite…I love him.”

Freddy Peralta can’t wait to watch Brandon Woodruff’s return start this weekend in Miami. pic.twitter.com/ZF0hspc9uH

— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) July 2, 2025

“All I can say about that is that we are getting better and better and better. But, you know, I know that it’s probably going to be tough moment for some other players. But it’s something that I, we can’t control. We cannot control. That is something the front office has to take care of.

“I’m happy too, I’m not going to lie, I’m happy to see Big Woo coming back. I say before that he is my favorite, so, and we were close. We’re good friends, I like him, and I love his family too. He’s very close with my family and I can’t wait to watch him pitch.”

Woodruff missed most of 2023 and all of 2024 with a shoulder injury that required surgery. His return this season has been delayed by freak injuries and setbacks, first being diagnosed with ankle tendonitis and then being struck in the elbow by a line drive during his rehab assignment.

But his rehab assignment has finally been completed, and he is poised to make a triumphant return to the Majors this Sunday.

And Peralta will almost certainly be hanging on every pitch.

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

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