SAN FRANCISCO – The appearance was likely a one-off in a forgettable 16-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park.
But to Thomas Pannone, it meant the world.
The 32-year-old became the 50th player to suit up for the Milwaukee Brewers this season and the 12th pitcher to start a game for them when the decision was made to push Shane Drohan back a couple days with an eye on the youngster’s workload and concerns about trying to keep him healthy.
With a need for a fill-in and Pannone having pitched well at Class AAA Nashville, the veteran left-hander received the opportunity and by the time all was said and done he’d thrown 56 pitches over three innings opposite Giants all-star Logan Webb.
For his first appearance in the major leagues since 2023, and his first start since 2019, Pannone couldn’t have asked for much more.
“I mean, it’s been a while since the last time I pitched in the major leagues. A lot of emotions, really,” Pannone said. “First off, just kind of proud of myself that I got back here, and especially after having surgery last year. Coming back into this season, I really didn’t have any expectations on getting back to the big leagues.
“I kind of just wanted to pitch and have fun and just enjoy myself and whatever happened, happened. And I feel I just kind of kept snowballing every outing together and found myself here.”
Pannone was in the midst of a road trip with Nashville to Sugar Land, Texas when he was informed by Sounds manager Rick Sweet, pitching coach Tyler Thornburg and lead strategist of pitching development Bryan Leslie that he wouldn’t be making his start on Sunday as had been scheduled.
“I was like, ‘All right,’ and didn’t really read into it or anything,” said Pannone. “About 10 minutes went by and they told me that I was going to meet the team in San Francisco and maybe get activated and pitch on Wednesday.”
To that point Pannone had acquitted himself well at Nashville with a 4-1 record, 4.13 ERA, WHIP of 1.25 and 57 strikeouts in 72 innings over 16 appearances (15 starts) – an impressive comeback after missing all of the 2025 season following surgery to repair a torn flexor in his elbow.
Pannone pitched in three Cactus League games for the Brewers last spring before injuring himself in early March. After a two-month attempt to rehab didn’t work, Pannone saw the writing on the wall.
“The doctor with the Brewers and the second opinion I got, they were both like, ‘Hey, you might be able to throw through this. Try it out,’ So, I tried it out for six, eight weeks and got back up to pretty much full speed and it just felt terrible,” said Pannone. “I knew I had to fix it if I wanted to be competitive with my pitches again.
“So, I got surgery on June 23rd by doctor (Keith) Meister. He did a great job. The Brewers were awesome. They let me rehab the entire season in Arizona and got me back to full strength. Then, toward the end of the year they approached me to sign back for this year on a minor-league deal.
“I figured it was probably the best move to do. They’ve been nothing but a classy organization and they’ve treated me with respect and they’ve helped me get back healthy and gave me an opportunity to pitch in the big leagues again.”
Pannone was a ninth-round draft pick of Cleveland all the way back in 2013 and eventually reached the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018.
He pitched 49 games for them between 2018 and 2019, then pitched at Class AAA for the Angels in 2021 and the Red Sox and in the KBO in 2022. He joined the Brewers organization in 2023 and returned to the majors for a one-off relief appearance with the Brewers before splitting the 2024 season at the Class AAA level with the Cubs and Yankees.
Needless to say, it was quite the journey for the Cranston, R.I. native before finally finding his way back to the mound at Oracle Park.
“All that he’s been through, you love the story,” said manager Pat Murphy before the game. “I remember seeing him in spring training this year. Just like, ‘Wow, you have an incredible story.’ And to see his attitude about things is great, so I’m happy for him.”
Right-hander Garrett Stallings, who was ultimately optioned to Nashville to create space on the 26-man roster, is a fellow journeyman who’s developed a bond with Pannone this season.
“He’s one of the guys that I’m closest to in the clubhouse when I’m down there,” he aid. “We’re in the starting rotation so we’re always hanging out, bouncing ideas off each other. Just, similar to myself being a little bit of an older guy, his perspective is incredible.
“Before he got injured last spring he wa really kind of making a name for himself in those first few appearances. He’s just been battling to get back to The Show. It’s a testament to his work ethic.”
Pannone’s outing against the Giants was colored by some uncharacteristically bad defense in center field from Garrett Mitchell, who dropped a routine fly ball to open the second inning. Pannone then walked Willy Adames after getting ahead in the count, 1-2, before surrending a three-run home run to Daniel Susac – the first of his career.
Pannone answered with a scoreless third, and it was only a 3-2 game when Chad Patrick and Aaron Ashby combined to allow seven runs in the decisive sixth.
He allowed three hits, was charged with two earned runs and walked a pair while also striking out the dangerous Rafael Devers twice on a slider Pannone felt so unsure about throwing he even warned pitching coach Chris Hook and catcher Gary Sánchez ahead of time that the end result might not be pretty.
“I definitely feel good about the foot I put forward,” Pannone said of his overall outing. “I mean, honestly, just to take the mound in the big leagues again today was a success. I obviously would have liked to put up three zeroes or even stay out there longer and help the team win. But I feel pretty good about it.
“I feel like I handled myself well. I attacked the zone like I was pitching in Triple-A. I didn’t really go out there with any different approach. I just wanted to be myself and keep attacking the way I have been.”
While the Brewers next move on to Anaheim for a three-game series against the Angels, Pannone said after the game he’d received no indication as to what’s next for him.
“I know nothing,” he said. “Just kind of taking it day by day, enjoying it while I’m here and hopefully I can stay around and help these guys win some ballgames.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Thomas Pannone’s arduous journey brings him back to the major leagues
Reporting by Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
