Thomas

Pannone

LHP Thomas Pannone joined him in clearing waivers and being sent to Nashville, though Pannone is old enough that he can refuse the assignment and become a free agent if he wishes.

The Brewers needed to clear a spot on their active roster for the return of DL Hall on Friday and unfortunately for Pannone he found himself on the outside looking in. The 32-year-old hurler posted a 6.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and a 2/2 K/BB ratio over three innings in his lone appearance with the Brewers.

Pannone’s first major league appearance in three years wasn’t much different than his last one; he allowed two runs in 2 2/3 innings in his one outing for the Brewers in 2023. He’ll likely be swapped back out for a fresh arm, perhaps Drew Rom’s, prior to Friday’s game.

Pannone will also start on Wednesday, which is curious because Shane Drohan was the scheduled starter. There is no word yet on whether Drohan is hurt or will just be used as a bulk follower. Pannone has not pitched in the big leagues since 2023. He has a 4.13 ERA in 72 innings across 16 appearances (15 starts) in Triple-A this year.

No surprises in this round of cuts for the Brewers. Pannone might have had a slight chance of claiming a spot, but he’s dealing with an injury. Pratt, arguably the team’s best prospect, impressed by going 5-for-14 with three doubles.

Pannone spent 2024 in Triple-A with both the Cubs and the Yankees, posting a 3.54 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 136/38 K/BB ratio in 152 1/3 innings. The left-hander appeared in one game for the Brewers back in 2023 and has a 5.46 career MLB ERA in 118 2/3 innings.

It didn’t take Pannone long to find a new opportunity, latching on with New York as extra left-handed pitching depth, just a few days following his release from the Cubs. The 30-year-old lefty has posted a respectable 4.37 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 87/32 K/BB ratio across 90 2/3 innings (19 starts) this season at the Triple-A level.

The Rhode Island native inked a minor league pact with the Cubs last December and didn’t end up making it to Wrigley Field. The 30-year-old southpaw made one relief appearance last year for the Brewers and also made 49 appearances (13 starts) for the Blue Jays from 2018-2019. He posted a serviceable 4.37 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 87/32 K/BB ratio across 90 2/3 innings (19 starts) this season for Triple-A Iowa.

The 29-year-old southpaw struck out two batters on the afternoon while issuing one free pass. The lone hit that he allowed in the contest came on a two-out single by Sean Bouchard in the third inning. His two punchouts were courtesy of Bouchard and Nolan Jones. He has been outstanding in three appearances thus far in Cactus League action, hurling six scoreless frames with a 0.50 WHIP and a 4/1 K/BB ratio. As long as he doesn’t completely implode over the final few weeks of spring training. Pannone has a good shot at cracking the Cubs’ Opening Day bullpen.

The 29-year-old southpaw spent most of the 2023 season pitching for the Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization where he registered a 4.26 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a 66/23 K/BB ratio across 82 1/3 innings. He’ll compete for a spot in the Cubs’ Opening Day bullpen.