MILWAUKEE – Right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann has announced his retirement from Major League Baseball. Zimmermann, who was born in Marshfield and resides in Auburndale, became the 11th Wisconsin-born player to play for the Brewers. He made two relief appearances with Milwaukee after signing as a free agent on Feb. 9.
“I have had the joy of playing the game that I love for the past 15 years,” said Zimmermann. “I will forever be thankful to the Washington Nationals and Detroit Tigers for allowing me to live out this dream. It has been particularly special to be able to end it all playing for my hometown team, the Milwaukee Brewers. Thank you to all of my friends, teammates and family members who have been by my side throughout this incredible journey. I will miss the game greatly, but I’m ready for the new phase of my life.”
“On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to congratulate Jordan on a long and distinguished career,” said Brewers President of Baseball Operations David Stearns. “We are thrilled that Jordan was ultimately able to wear the uniform of his hometown team, and we wish he and his family all the best in retirement.”
Zimmermann, who turns 35 on May 23, retires after 13 seasons in the Major Leagues with Washington (2009-15), Detroit (2016-20) and Milwaukee (2021). He went 95-91 with a 4.07 ERA in 279 career games, including 275 starts. He was a two-time All-Star (2013-14) and author of the first no-hitter in Washington Nationals team history on Sept. 28, 2014 vs. Miami. He pitched in the postseason with the Nationals in 2012 and 2014.
Zimmermann issued just 1.92 walks per nine innings during his Major League career, trailing only Josh Tomlin (1.32) among active pitchers with at least 1,000 innings pitched. He finished seventh in 2013 National League Cy Young Award voting after producing a career-high 19 wins. He finished fifth in 2014 National League Cy Young Award voting after posting a career-best 2.66 ERA. He made 30+ starts four times (2012-15) and twice was an Opening Day starter (2018-19).
Zimmermann was selected by Washington in the second round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of the Division III University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He is a graduate of Auburndale (WI) High School.
Jordan and his wife, Mandy, reside in Auburndale, Wisconsin. They have a son named Riley and daughter named Ava.
