What happened: Brandon Woodruff remains sidelined in late October with his World Series roster eligibility unresolved. He landed on the injured list in early July with shoulder trouble that led to season-ending shoulder surgery. League roster approval is the remaining hurdle to any October return.

Why it matters: A World Series roster call changes how pitching staffs align starters and bullpen coverage. Eligibility turns on injured-list status and postseason roster rules. A cleared path would restore a veteran starter for the final round.

What to watch: Watch for a formal roster ruling and any throwing update before the Series roster deadline.