MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee’s Brandon Woodruff won’t pitch in the NL Division Series as he recovers from a right lat strain, but the Brewers aren’t closing the door on the possibility he could return later in the postseason.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy made the announcement Friday while emphasizing this is unrelated to the shoulder injury that prevented the two-time All-Star from pitching at all last season. The lat issue caused Woodruff to go on the injured list Sept. 21.

The NL Central champion Brewers face the Chicago Cubs in the best-of-5 NLDS that starts Saturday in Milwaukee.

“Just got to let it heal,” Woodruff said. ”It’s literally a day-by-day thing. As far as the rest of the way, not really counting anything out. I’ve just got to come in and go day to day and see where we’re at,

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