Brewers DFA veteran reliever for 2nd time this season, promote former Orioles lefty ahead of Saturday’s game

Compare that to 2024 (3.05 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) and 2023 (2.55 ERA, 1.05 WHIP).

Saturday marked the second time he has been DFA’d this season. On the first occasion, he cleared waivers and was optioned to Triple-A. After spending over three months in the minors, he was recalled in September to aid a battered Brewers bullpen that might be without its closer for the playoffs. In Payamps’ last three appearances, he allowed no runs, no hits, and struck out three. Too little, too late.

Not that Zimmerman is likely here to stay. In parts of four seasons with the Orioles, the 30-year-old southpaw has a 5.57 ERA on 195 hits and 40 home runs in 158.1 innings. Camden Yards, where Baltimore plays half its games, is a home run hitter’s park, but still. Sheesh.

In his last cup of coffee, in ’23, Zimmerman went from starter to reliever, posting a 4.73 ERA in seven appearances. In Nashville this season, he’s been mostly back to starting. Zimmerman has survived, but he’s been hittable. Most likely, the Brewers will deploy him as an innings-eater in whatever work he does get with the big club.

Payamps has a year of arbitration left before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2027. Clearing waivers again would allow him to remain in the Brewers organization entering next season. In his seven-year career, Payamps has a 3.41 ERA and 10 saves in 266.1 IP.