Left-hander Thomas Pannone was recalled by the Brewers from Triple-A Nashville to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Giants in San Francisco, returning to the major leagues for the first time since 2023 to give the rotation extra rest.
The Milwaukee Brewers shuffled their roster ahead of Wednesday’s contest, selecting the contract of left-hander Thomas Pannone from Triple-A Nashville. Pannone steps directly into the active roster spot vacated by right-hander Garrett Stallings, who was optioned to Triple-A Nashville following a corresponding move by the club.
Protecting Rookie Arms and Adjusting the Rotation
The pitching change carries immediate implications for rookie lefty Shane Drohan. Drohan had been initially scheduled to take the ball against the Giants, but manager Pat Murphy intervened to give the young starter extra recovery time after logging 82 innings in 2026—already well past his previous career high of 54 frames set in the Boston organization in 2025.
Murphy elaborated on the physical toll of a major league campaign on inexperienced arms. Murphy explained his reasoning behind the decision to skip Drohan’s turn in the rotation.
“And Drohan’s over the amount of innings he’s ever thrown in a season. Being at the big leagues with the intensity and all that, it probably adds up. Giving him a few extra days is, I think, a smart thing to do.”
Manager Pat Murphy, via MLB.com
With the club holding an off-day on Thursday, Drohan is now scheduled to start Friday’s game in Anaheim, while Pannone handles the series finale in San Francisco.
Pannone’s Long Road Back to the Big Leagues
Pannone’s return to a major league mound marks a significant milestone after years of organizational movement, international play, and severe injury. Now 32 years old, the southpaw is making his first appearance in the majors since 2023, when he made a single appearance for Milwaukee. His broader major league track record includes 49 appearances for the Blue Jays across the 2018 and 2019 seasons, carrying a career 5.46 earned run average across 118 2/3 innings.
Between major league stints, Pannone pitched for the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Association in 2022 and 2023, posting a 3.49 ERA in 165 innings. After spending the 2024 minor league season in the Cubs and Yankees systems, he returned to the Brewers on a minor league deal ahead of 2025.
That momentum halted abruptly when he suffered a torn flexor tendon in spring training. After undergoing surgery last summer, he spent the entirety of the 2025 season recovering before returning to pitch for Triple-A Nashville this year.
Minor League Performance and Roster Reality
Prior to his call-up, Pannone logged 16 appearances—including 15 starts—for Nashville in 2026. He pitched 72 innings with a 4.13 ERA, striking out 57 batters. Analytical metrics from his minor league work show an 18.9% strikeout rate, a 7.3% walk rate, and a 41% ground ball rate.
Murphy acknowledged the adversity behind the veteran left-hander’s journey back to the active roster.
“All that he’s been through, you know, you love the story. I remember seeing him in Spring Training this year. It’s just like, ‘Wow, you do have an incredible story.’ And to see his attitude about things was great. So I’m happy for him.”
Manager Pat Murphy, via MLB.com
Roster Math and Future Roster Decisions
Milwaukee’s 40-man roster contained a couple of vacancies, allowing the club to add Pannone without executing a corresponding move beyond sending Stallings down. However, because Pannone is out of options, his immediate future with the big league club remains fluid.
If the team intends to use him strictly as a spot starter for Wednesday’s finale, he could be designated for assignment in the coming days. Alternatively, strong performance could earn him a longer look as a bullpen long man.
Series Finale and Upcoming Schedule
The Brewers close out their series against the Giants on Wednesday afternoon with Pannone on the mound. Following a scheduled off-day on Thursday, the team travels to Anaheim, where Shane Drohan is lined up to make his next start on Friday.
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