Jake Woodford Becomes Free Agent After Brewers Designate Him for Assignment

The Milwaukee Brewers designated Jake Woodford for assignment on Friday. The right-hander cleared waivers and elected free agency instead of accepting an outright assignment. Woodford, 29, will now seek a new opportunity as a free agent.

Signed to a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason, Woodford triggered an upward mobility clause before Opening Day. That led to a trade to the Brewers, who added him to their active roster. In 16 games for Milwaukee, Woodford pitched 23 1/3 innings with a 6.94 ERA. His struggles were expected given his lack of strikeout ability and a recent history of underperformance.

Woodford has not been a consistent MLB contributor since 2022, when he posted a 2.70 ERA in 46 innings for the St. Louis Cardinals. Over the past four seasons, he has compiled a 3-13 record with a 6.83 ERA in 142 1/3 innings. His struggles have been consistent across multiple teams including the Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Despite his recent struggles, Woodford remains a viable candidate for a minor league deal. His seven years of MLB experience and diverse pitch arsenal make him an attractive low-risk option for teams in need of bullpen depth. Woodford’s repertoire includes a sweeper with good movement and a sinker he consistently throws for strikes.

Teams will likely look to tweak his pitch mix to find a better formula. Even if that doesn’t happen, there are always organizations looking for affordable, experienced arms. Woodford will still be under 30 for the rest of the 2025 season, which adds to his marketability.

The Brewers will now have more roster flexibility with Woodford off their 40-man roster. They can either add a new player or use the space for organizational depth. For Woodford, the next step is to find a new club that believes in his potential. The deadline to sign with a new team before the season is fast approaching.