SAN FRANCISCO – Left-hander Thomas Pannone was recalled from Triple-A Nashville by the Brewers to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Giants. The start had previously been scheduled for lefty Shane Drohan, but he'll now pitch Friday in Anaheim.
In a corresponding move, right-hander Garrett Stallings was optioned to Triple-A.
Manager Pat Murphy said the change was made in part to give the rookie Drohan a bit of a breather. With 82 innings under his belt in 2026, he’s already blown well past his previous career high, which came in ‘25 when he logged 54 in the Boston organization.
“All these young pitchers, if we can protect them, we will,” said Murphy. “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.”
As for Pannone, this isn’t your ordinary spot starter called up from the Minors. His journey back to a Major League mound has been eventful, to say the least.
Wednesday’s start will mark Pannone’s first as a Brewer, in just his second Major League appearance since 2023. He threw 2 2/3 innings against the Pirates on June 30 of that year (in his first Major League game since 2019), before being designated for assignment and subsequently released.
Pannone then signed with the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Association – his second stint with that organization – and finished the 2023 season with them, before spending 2024 in the respective Minor League systems of the Cubs and Tigers.
In the winter of 2024, Pannone re-upped with the Brewers once again. He’d turn some heads at Spring Training ‘25 with an unorthodox delivery that spoke to his readiness to try new things on the hill at age 30.
A flexor tendon tear ended that Spring Training campaign and claimed his entire ‘25 season. The southpaw has been working steadily in the Minors ever since in hopes of returning to the big leagues.
“All that he's been through, you know, you love the story,” said Murphy. “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.”
In 16 games (15 starts) with Nashville in 2026, Pannone logged a 4.13 ERA, striking out 57 in 72 innings and finally earning a call back up from the Brewers.