The Milwaukee Brewers have once again made a splash in the days leading up to Opening Day, acquiring right-handed pitcher Jake Woodford from the Tampa Bay Rays in a move that underscores the organization’s relentless pursuit of pitching depth. The trade, finalized on March 24, 2026, saw the Brewers send 25-year-old righty prospect K.C. Hunt and cash to Tampa Bay, while also transferring outfielder Akil Baddoo to the 60-day injured list to create space on the 40-man roster for their new addition.
Woodford, 29, is no stranger to change. The 2025 season saw him don uniforms for four teams — a whirlwind that included stops with the Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, and ultimately the Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite the constant movement, Woodford managed to carve out 22 relief appearances for the D-backs, finishing with a 0-4 record, a 6.44 ERA, and three saves. His numbers might not leap off the page, but Milwaukee’s front office sees value in his versatility and experience.
“He’s pitched in a number of different roles and been a veteran in the league for a while,” said Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold. “We have some history with him. He’s an interesting arm that can play a valuable role in a number of different spots in our bullpen, or potentially even at the front of games.”
Woodford’s journey to the Brewers was triggered by an upward mobility clause in his minor-league contract with the Rays. This clause required Tampa Bay to either add him to their 40-man roster by March 24 or allow him to pursue opportunities elsewhere. When the Rays opted for the latter, Milwaukee pounced, eager to add a multi-inning right-handed reliever to a bullpen that had become increasingly lefty-heavy.
In spring training with the Rays, Woodford made four appearances, including two starts, and allowed just one run on four hits over 7⅓ innings. He struck out five and walked two, demonstrating improved velocity — his four-seam fastball and sinker both touching 94 mph, a tick above his career averages. This uptick has the Brewers hopeful that he can rediscover the form he showed during his best seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021 and 2022, when he posted a combined 3.26 ERA over 116 innings, induced grounders on 45.8% of balls in play, and limited walks to a 7.5% rate.
Woodford’s MLB résumé now includes 111 games (25 starts) across six seasons, with a 10-17 record, a 5.10 ERA, and 168 strikeouts in 256 innings. He’s suited up for the Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Diamondbacks, and now brings that wealth of experience to a Brewers bullpen in need of stability. His five-pitch mix — highlighted by a 93.3 mph sinker, an 81.1 mph sweeper, a 93.1 mph four-seamer, an 89 mph cutter, and an 86.5 mph changeup — has helped him limit hard contact, posting a 33.6% hard-hit rate and an 86.1 mph average exit velocity in 2025.
“The front office has done an incredible job of always being mindful and on-point when it comes to trying to make an upgrade in some way,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy commented. “We’ve learned to trust that.”
Woodford’s addition comes at a time of flux for the Brewers’ pitching staff. Brandon Woodruff, a mainstay in the rotation, is still building up strength after a lat injury sidelined him late in 2025. In his last Cactus League start, Woodruff impressed for three innings before experiencing a noticeable drop in velocity in the fourth, signaling that he’s not quite ready for a full workload. The Brewers’ bullpen, anchored by left-handers Aaron Ashby and DL Hall, needed a reliable right-handed option who could handle multiple innings — a role Woodford is well-suited to fill.
To accommodate Woodford on the roster, Akil Baddoo was moved to the 60-day injured list after suffering a left quad strain in early March. Baddoo, who signed a split contract with Milwaukee in the offseason, is not expected back until at least late May or June. In his absence, the Brewers will rely on a youthful outfield group featuring Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, and Garrett Mitchell, with Christian Yelich rotating between left field and designated hitter. Brandon Lockridge will provide depth off the bench, while Blake Perkins waits in Triple-A as the next man up.
The trade may also have implications for right-hander Easton McGee, who could be bumped from the Opening Day roster to make room for Woodford. The Brewers’ 26-man roster is due on March 25, just ahead of their Thursday opener against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field. There’s a 72-hour grace period following a trade, so Woodford’s immediate availability for Opening Day remains uncertain. The team could opt to bring him in for Game 2, depending on travel and roster logistics.
Meanwhile, K.C. Hunt heads to the Rays after three seasons in the Brewers’ farm system. Hunt, 25, was a 12th-round draft pick in 2022 who joined Milwaukee as an undrafted free agent in 2023 following his collegiate career at Mississippi State. He quickly made a name for himself, earning Brewers Co-Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors in 2024 with a 2.03 ERA and 139 strikeouts over 102 innings across three levels. In 2025, Hunt spent the entire season at Double-A Biloxi, making 26 starts and logging 121⅓ innings with a 4.45 ERA, 43 walks, and 122 strikeouts. FanGraphs recently ranked him as the #51 prospect in the Brewers’ system, projecting him as a likely depth starter.
“You have to give up something to get something,” Arnold acknowledged. “Accelerating what K.C. Hunt was into a guy who can contribute to our Major League team right now was something we felt like made sense.”
With Woodford out of minor league options, he’ll need to stick on the active roster or risk being designated for assignment. This fits the Brewers’ reputation for extracting value from pitchers who arrive with question marks. If Woodford can rediscover his best form, Milwaukee will have the option to retain him via arbitration for 2027. But first, he’ll have to prove he can hold a spot in a bullpen that’s sure to see plenty of shuffling over the long season ahead.
As the Brewers gear up for Opening Day, the addition of Woodford provides both insurance and intrigue. Whether he becomes a mainstay in the bullpen or a valuable swingman, Milwaukee’s latest move is a testament to their proactive approach and belief in their ability to unlock the potential in overlooked arms. The countdown to first pitch is on, and the Brewers’ roster puzzle is nearly complete — but as always in baseball, the only constant is change.