The 29-year-old had spent his entire professional career with the Baltimore Orioles, posting a 5.57 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 126/36 K/BB ratio in 158 1/3 MLB innings. He’s actually the perfect pitcher for the Brewers. Zimmermann throws five pitches at least 10 percent of the time with good command of each one. It just happens that none of them really miss bats. However, the Brewers were able to get the most out of pitchers like Tobias Myers, who have a similar profile, and might be able to do the same for Zimmermann.

Zimmermann went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment earlier this week by the Orioles. The 29-year-old lefty has yet to make an appearance this season in the big leagues for Baltimore.

At one point, Zimmermann was an intriguing back-end-of-the-rotation starting pitching prospect, but he never quite panned out in Baltimore. After having core muscle surgery over the offseason, the 29-year-old posted a 4.73 ERA in 13 1/3 innings with Baltimore this season with a 14:0 K:BB ratio. He should get another opportunity soon.

Zimmermann posted a 3.52 ERA with a 7/3 K/BB ratio across 7 2/3 innings this spring. The 29-year-old is coming off abdominal surgery in the offseason and was battling for a spot in Baltimore’s bullpen, but ultimately he will start his 2024 campaign in the minors.