Jake Woodford’s Journey Across MLB Teams in 2026

The World Series is set to start, and while the title match hasn’t kicked off yet, Jake Woodford’s unique season already makes him a champion. Playing for both the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays this year means he will triumph regardless of the outcome.

Woodford’s career took a twist when the Tampa Bay Rays traded the relief pitcher to the Milwaukee Brewers before the 2026 season began in March. The Brewers utilized Woodford in their bullpen, where he played 16 games. His record showed a win, a 6.94 ERA, and a single save over 23 1/3 innings pitched.

However, his tenure with the Brewers didn’t last long. By June 5, Woodford faced assignment and got released shortly after. The Chicago Cubs signed him on July 4, and he appeared in just one game, allowing three runs in two innings. Following this, the Cubs assigned him for release on July 11 and let him go on July 16.

Woodford returned to the Cubs on a minor league contract by July 18, and his major league status was restored on July 29. He delivered a scoreless inning on August 3, before being designated for assignment again on August 4 and released by August 10.

The Rays brought Woodford back into their fold on August 11. After a stretch in the minors, they promoted him to the major league roster on September 24. Unfortunately, in a performance against the New York Yankees, Woodford allowed three earned runs over 1 1/3 innings. This led to another assignment and release by September 29.

Throughout the season, Woodford’s journey took him through three teams, with one destined to take the World Series. However, receiving a championship ring isn’t guaranteed for Woodford. The decision to distribute rings lies with the respective team management and ownership.

The World Series is scheduled to start on Friday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, featuring the Brewers hosting the Rays. As a digital production assistant, Ryan Canfield contributes to Fox News Digital.