Brandon Woodruff, the Milwaukee Brewers' ace, is set to face live batters for the first time in over a year as he progresses in his recovery from shoulder surgery. This pivotal moment marks a significant step in his rehabilitation journey after missing the entire 2024 season. Despite the long layoff, Woodruff expressed confidence in his health, stating he feels good and is ready to take things slow to ensure a full recovery.

The Brewers are optimistic about Woodruff's return, with manager Pat Murphy noting that he's in a good spot. However, the team remains cautious, indicating that while he is healthy, he needs to ease back into his pitching routine. In contrast, left-hander DL Hall faces a setback with a lat strain that will delay his spring training participation, potentially jeopardizing his spot in the opening day rotation.

The Chicago Cubs made significant strides during the offseason, bouncing back from a disappointing 83-79 season by securing key trades. The addition of Kyle Tucker, a formidable outfielder, is expected to enhance the Cubs' offensive capabilities. Despite only being with the team for a year, Tucker's impressive batting stats, including a career OPS+ of 139, will be pivotal. He is set to bat second, forming a lethal combination with Ian Happ at the top of the lineup. Furthermore, the Cubs bolstered their bullpen with veteran Ryan Pressly, aiming for a formidable closing role. Pressly, known for his consistency with a career ERA of 3.27, complements a rotation featuring Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, and Colin Rea, all of whom qualified for the ERA title in 2024. Additional moves, such as signing Matthew Boyd and parting ways with Cody Bellinger, signify the Cubs' commitment to compete in the National League Central next season.

The Milwaukee Brewers are gearing up for the upcoming season after a successful 2023 where they secured 93 wins. Despite this, the team faces challenges in reinforcing their roster during the offseason. With the return of Brandon Woodruff slated for 2025, the Brewers are still reeling from the loss of key players Devin Williams and Willy Adames. A recent trade brought Nestor Cortes and Caleb Durbin into the fold, providing some optimism.

To enhance their starting rotation, the Brewers are looking for a cost-effective option due to last year's injury struggles. Eric Cole from FanSided suggests that former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kyle Gibson could be a viable candidate. While Gibson's performance may raise eyebrows, particularly his mid-4 ERA and tendency to allow baserunners, his reliability for covering innings could be just what Milwaukee needs.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff has expressed uncertainty about his readiness for Opening Day, as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2024 season. Currently throwing light bullpens, Woodruff is not yet facing hitters, stating he is preparing to pitch, regardless of his role in the rotation.

The 31-year-old right-hander boasts a career record of 46-26 with a 3.10 ERA and is a two-time All-Star. His performance will be crucial for the Brewers, who won the National League Central by 10 games last season but face challenges ahead.

Brandon Woodruff, the Milwaukee Brewers' starting pitcher, has been assigned +3500 odds to win the National League Cy Young Award for 2025, according to Fanduel Sportsbook. This means that a $100 bet on Woodruff could yield a profit of $3500 if he secures the award. Woodruff's odds come despite missing the entire 2024 season due to a shoulder injury, indicating confidence in his abilities.

At 31 years old, Woodruff boasts a career record of 46-26 with a 3.10 ERA and is a two-time All-Star. He previously ranked fifth in the Cy Young voting in 2021. His partnership with Corbin Burnes formed a formidable rotation for the Brewers until Burnes was traded to the Baltimore Orioles last offseason and later signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Brewers faced significant injury challenges last year, losing not only Woodruff but also Wade Miley and prospect Robert Gasser. Despite these setbacks, the team clinched the National League Central title but fell to the New York Mets in the wild card series. Woodruff, who signed a two-year deal prior to last season, will enter free agency at the end of the 2025 season.