Brewers reliever Jordan Zimmermann scattered three hits over two shutout frames in his most recent performance Friday against Miami. Few, if any, knew that would be his final game in a major-league uniform. Zimmermann, a two-time All-Star over a 13-year career spanning 279 mound appearances including 275 starts, announced his MLB retirement Tuesday, just a week and change shy of his 35th birthday.
The 6'2" right-hander debuted in the big leagues with Washington in 2009, starting 16 games that season before undergoing Tommy John surgery. Zimmermann would later become a staple of the Nats' starting rotation, achieving All-Star recognition in both 2013 and 2014. The former second-round pick tied Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright for the National League-lead with 19 victories during his breakout 2013 and went on to throw a no-hitter—the first in Washington's franchise history—in his final start of 2014.
Zimmermann left the Nationals as a free agent in the fall of 2015, joining the Tigers on a five-year, $110-million deal. The Auburndale, Wisconsin native largely disappointed during his five-year span in the Motor City, struggling to a dreadful 25-41 record in 99 regular-season outings (5.63 ERA) as a Tiger while rarely staying healthy. Zimmermann's four-seamer could touch 95 mph in his prime, though his velocity plummeted late in his career, rarely exceeding 90 on the radar gun in recent seasons.
Zimmermann was invited to Brewers camp in Arizona this spring, where he logged a 7.88 ERA over five Cactus League showings. The veteran was later summoned from the team's alternate site in Grand Chute, appearing twice out of Milwaukee's pen before calling it quits.
Zimmermann finishes his career with a 95-91 record, 4.07 ERA and 1,271 strikeouts over 1,614 MLB innings for the Nationals, Tigers and Brewers. He also toed the rubber in three playoff games (all with Washington) and was tapped as Detroit's Opening Day starter on two occasions (2018 and 2019).
Congrats to longtime Nats pitcher Jordan Zimmermann on a fantastic @MLB career.@JZimmermann27 // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/L1qpwZ57D0
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 11, 2021
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
