Brewers Officially Release Veteran Pitcher After World Series

Thomas Pannone, the 32-year-old left-hander who spent the 2026 season in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, has elected free agency, via the MiLB transaction log.

The move, recorded on October 29, ends his second stint with the Brewers and places him back on the open market heading into the offseason.

Pannone had signed a minor-league contract with Milwaukee in November 2024 after previously pitching in the organization in 2023.

His 2026 campaign featured a brief major-league cameo and a historic minor-league performance. On July 29, the Brewers selected his contract and started him against the San Francisco Giants.

In his first MLB appearance since 2023, Pannone allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks over three innings, striking out two and taking the loss.

He was designated for assignment two days later when left-hander DL Hall returned from the injured list.

After clearing waivers, he was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville on August 6; as a veteran with sufficient service time, he had the right to elect free agency at that point but remained with the organization.

The highlight came on September 7 in Durham, North Carolina. Pitching for the Nashville Sounds against the Durham Bulls, Pannone threw a perfect game—retiring all 27 batters he faced in a 3-0 victory.

He needed just 94 pitches (61 strikes) and struck out eight.

It was the fifth individual nine-inning perfect game in International League history, the first such feat in the minors since 2017, and the third in Nashville Sounds franchise history.

Pannone’s career has been that of a durable journeyman. Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the ninth round in 2013 out of the College of Southern Nevada, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017.

He made his MLB debut with Toronto in 2018 and appeared in 49 games (13 starts) for the Blue Jays across 2018–19, posting a 7–7 record and 5.43 ERA in 116 innings.

Pannone later pitched for the Kia Tigers in the KBO League (3.49 ERA in 165 innings in 2022–23), had brief MLB time with the Brewers in 2023, and logged solid Triple-A seasons with the Cubs and Yankees organizations in 2024 before missing all of 2025 with a torn flexor tendon.

Across parts of four MLB seasons, he is 7–8 with a 5.47 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 121⅔ innings.

With a history of minor-league production, left-handed pitching, and now a perfect-game résumé, Pannone is expected to draw interest on a minor-league deal from teams seeking organizational depth.