Brewers Acquire Jake Woodford from Rays

The Milwaukee Brewers acquired right-handed pitcher Jake Woodford from the Tampa Bay Rays on March 24, bolstering their bullpen depth ahead of the season opener. In exchange, the Brewers sent minor league right-hander K.C. Hunt and cash considerations to Tampa Bay, while transferring outfielder Akil Baddoo to the 60-day injured list to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Woodford, a 29-year-old veteran with experience across multiple roles, joins a Milwaukee pitching staff seeking right-handed relief options. He spent the 2025 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, appearing in 22 relief outings with a 0-4 record, a 6.44 ERA, three saves and 23 strikeouts over 36 1/3 innings. His career totals include a 10-17 mark and 5.10 ERA in 111 appearances, with 25 starts, across stints with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2020 to 2023, the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024, and the Diamondbacks last year. Drafted in the first round by St. Louis in 2015, Woodford posted his strongest performances in 2021 and 2022, compiling a 3.26 ERA over 116 innings while inducing ground balls on nearly 46 percent of balls in play and keeping walks low at a 7.5 percent rate.