Jordan Zimmermann

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39+23 innings, but compiling a solid record: 1.59 ERA, 27 hits allowed, 31 strikeouts, and just six walks. [9] On August 26, he was recalled to make his 2010 debut back in the big leagues, where Zimmermann got a no-decision in an eventual win by the Nationals over the Cardinals. On this same day, the Nationals learned that their other young pitching phenom, Stephen Strasburg, would need Tommy John surgery and would be out for 12–18 months. In Zimmermann's second return start, however, five days later, he pitched six shutout innings, allowing only one hit, no walks, and striking out nine, a personal best. He also became the first National to get through six innings facing only 18 batters. [10] Zimmermann finished the 2010 year 1–2 with a 4.94 ERA in seven starts.

2011

On May 6, 2011, Zimmermann pitched an immaculate inning versus the Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium. [11] He finished the 2011 year 8–11 with a 3.18 ERA.

2012

On May 28, 2012, Zimmermann hit his first career home run off of Miami Marlins pitcher Carlos Zambrano. Zimmermann became the third Nationals pitcher named NL Pitcher of the Month during the 2012 season when the selection was announced on August 2. During July, he went 4–0 with an MLB-best 0.97 ERA. He gave up 27 hits in 37 innings and struck out 31 compared to 4 walks. [12] He finished the 2012 season 12–8 with a 2.94 ERA.

In Game 4 of the National League Division Series, Zimmermann made a relief appearance in the 7th inning, his first since 2008 at A-level Potomac. Entering a tie game, Zimmermann struck out the side. [13] The Nationals would eventually lose the series to the St. Louis Cardinals after Game 5.

2013

Zimmermann hurled his first career shutout on April 26, 2013, with a one-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds. It was the second straight one-hitter by Nationals pitching in the series, marking the first occasion since 1917 that a Washington team achieved that streak, and the first time since 1900 that the Reds were victimized that way. [14]

In 2013, Zimmermann was named to his first All-Star Game, but chose not to play due to stiffness in his neck. He finished the season with a career high in wins, going 19–9, while also posting a 3.25 ERA and 161 strikeouts in a career-high 213+13 innings over 32 starts. His wins total tied with Adam Wainwright for the National League lead.

2014

Zimmermann made his second and final All-Star Game selection in 2014, though he did not appear in the game. [15] On September 28, the last day of the regular season, Zimmermann threw the first no-hitter in Nationals history, a 1–0 win over the Miami Marlins and Henderson Álvarez, the pitcher who threw the final no-hitter of the 2013 season. Zimmermann faced only one over the minimum in the game; only a fifth inning walk to Justin Bour and a seventh inning third strike wild pitch that allowed Garrett Jones (who was subsequently picked off) [16] to reach first base separated him from a perfect game. This was also the first time in MLB history that a no-hitter had been thrown on the final day in two consecutive seasons. [17] Zimmermann finished the season with a 14–5 record and a 2.66 ERA, striking out a career-high 182 batters in 199+23 innings.

Zimmermann in March 2015 Jordan Zimmermann Nationals spring training March 2015.jpg
Zimmermann in March 2015

2015

Zimmermann finished the 2015 season with a 13–10 record, of 3.66 ERA, 1.205 WHIP, and 164 strikeouts in 20123 innings pitched. Following the season, he became one of a record 20 players to receive a qualifying offer. [18] Zimmermann finished his tenure with the Nationals starting 178 games, sporting a 70–50 record, a 3.32 ERA, pitching 1,094 innings, eight complete games (four shutouts) and striking out 903 batters.

Detroit Tigers

2016

On November 30, 2015, the Detroit Tigers signed Zimmermann to a five-year, $110 million contract. [19]

Zimmermann was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for April. During the month of April, he allowed two earned runs in 33 innings pitched, for a 0.55 ERA. He was 5–0, becoming the sixth pitcher to finish April with at least 5 wins, zero losses and a sub-1.00 ERA. He joins Fernando Valenzuela (1981), Randy Johnson (2000), Cliff Lee (2008), Zack Greinke (2009), and Ubaldo Jiménez (2010). Zimmermann's 0.55 ERA is the third-best mark for April in Tigers history, higher than only Bernie Boland with a 0.30 ERA in 1915 and John Hiller with a 0.36 ERA in 1974. [20] [21] On July 4, Zimmermann was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a neck strain. [22]

2017

On May 23, Zimmermann recorded his 1,000th career strikeout in a game against the Houston Astros. [23] On July 17, in a game against the Kansas City Royals, he threw 79 strikes out of 97 pitches, an 81 percent strike rate that ranks as the best by a Tigers starter with 80 pitches or more since at least 1988, and was the best by a Major League starter since 2008. [24] Overall, Zimmermann struggled throughout the 2017 season. In 29 starts, he went 8–13 with a 6.08 ERA and 1.55 WHIP.

2018

On April 11, Zimmermann was struck in the face by a line drive by Jason Kipnis. Zimmermann was taken to the hospital, and was diagnosed with a bruised jaw, but made his next start. [25] On May 6, after making seven starts in the 2018 season, he was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain. [26] He returned to the rotation on June 16. For the 2018 season, Zimmermann made 25 starts, compiling a 7–8 record with a 4.52 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 131+13 innings pitched.

2019

Zimmermann began the 2019 season as the Tigers Opening Day starter. He was placed on the disabled list on April 26 due to a UCL sprain. [27] He returned to MLB action on June 19, starting and pitching four innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. [28] Zimmermann finished the 2019 season with a 6.91 ERA and a dismal 1–13 record, becoming the first Tiger pitcher since at least 1908 to post fewer than two wins in a season with at least 20 starts. [29]

2020

Zimmermann began the 2020 season on the 45/60 day injured list due to a right forearm strain. [30] He appeared in three games, compiling a 0–0 record with 7.94 ERA and six strikeouts in 5+23 innings pitched. [31] He became a free agent following the season.

Milwaukee Brewers

On February 18, 2021, Zimmermann signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers organization that included an invitation to spring training. [32] On March 26, Zimmermann was released by the Brewers. [33] The next day, Zimmermann re-signed with the Brewers on a new minor league contract. [33] On April 29, Zimmermann was selected to the active roster [34] He recorded a 7.94 ERA in 2 games for the Brewers.

On May 11, 2021, Zimmermann announced his retirement from professional baseball. [35] [36]

Pitching style

Zimmermann was mainly a three-pitch pitcher. He threw a four-seam fastball at 92 miles per hour (148 km/h) that topped out at 95 miles per hour (153 km/h), a slider which he described as a "baby cutter" (86.6 miles per hour (139.4 km/h)), and a curveball (79.3 miles per hour (127.6 km/h)). On rare occasions, he also featured a circle change to left-handed hitters. Later in his career, he added a sinker (91.6 miles per hour (147.4 km/h)) [37] [38] [39]

References

  1. "Northwoods League Alumni in Major League Baseball" (PDF). northwoodsleague.com.
  2. "2008 Season in Review - MiLB.com News". MiLB.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  3. "BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: Washington Nationals: Top 10 Prospects". Baseball America. January 6, 2009. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  4. "Nationals Send Zimmermann to AAA". Archived from the original on April 8, 2009.
  5. "Nats' Zimmermann goes 6 strong en route to win in MLB debut". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  6. "Who's the 'mann? Nats run over Mets". Washington Nationals. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  7. "Zimmermann a hard-luck loser to history". Washington Nationals. Archived from the original on June 8, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Boswell, Tom (August 10, 2009). "Zimmermann Will Miss 18 Months". Nationals Journal. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
  9. Carlson, Ted (August 26, 2010). "Daily Dose: Closer Confusion". Archived from the original on September 1, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
  10. Kilgore, Adam (September 1, 2010). "Jordan Zimmermann dazzles, but Washington Nationals lose to Florida Marlins, 1-0 in 10 innings". The Washington Post . Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  11. "Zimmermann hits Marlins with immaculate inning". Sun-Sentinel. May 6, 2011. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  12. Casella, Paul (August 2, 2012). "Zimmermann named NL's best pitcher of the month". MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  13. Kilgore, Adam (October 11, 2012). "Jordan Zimmermann wants to pitch in relief again on Game 5 after dominant inning in Game 4". The Washington Post . Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  14. Wagner, James (April 26, 2013). "Jordan Zimmermann and Nationals one-hit Reds for second night in a row". The Washington Post . Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  15. "2014 All-Star Game Box Score, July 15". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  16. Tayler, Jon (September 28, 2014). "Nationals' Jordan Zimmermann throws no-hitter against Marlins". SI.com. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  17. Steinberg, Dan (September 28, 2014). "Audio: Jordan Zimmermann finishes off no-hitter". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  18. "Nationals make qualifying offers to Zimmermann, Desmond". foxsports.com. November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  19. Beck, Jason (November 30, 2015). "Tigers ink Zimmermann to five-year deal". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2015.
  20. Bollinger, Rhett; Hall, Biran (April 30, 2016). "High fives: Zimmermann 5-0 with 0.55 ERA". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2016.
  21. Beck, Jason (May 2, 2016). "Zimmermann claims AL pitcher prize for April". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  22. "Zimmermann placed on 15-day DL with neck strain". ESPN. July 4, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  23. "Centeno's homer helps Astros over Tigers 6-2". CBS Sports. Associated Press. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  24. Beck, Jason; Flanagan, Jeffrey (July 18, 2017). "Tigers rake with early HRs to cruise past KC". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2017.
  25. "Jordan Zimmermann hit in face, has bruised jaw". ESPN. April 11, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  26. Rogacki, Rob (May 8, 2018). "Jordan Tigers place Alex Wilson, Jordan Zimmermann on 10-day disabled list". Bless You Boys. SB Nation . Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  27. "Detroit Tigers' Jordan Zimmermann faces familiar frustrations". Detroit Free Press.
  28. Berry, Adam (June 19, 2019). "Rookie shocks Tigers to complete comeback". MLB.com . Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  29. "FOX Sports Detroit's Tigers coverage features 17 'Players Only' telecasts". Fox Sports. April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  30. "Detroit Tigers place Jordan Zimmermann on injured list with arm strain".
  31. "Jordan Zimmermann Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com .
  32. "Brewers Sign Jordan Zimmermann To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. February 9, 2021.
  33. 1 2 "Brewers Re-Sign Brad Boxberger, Jordan Zimmermann". MLB Trade Rumors. March 28, 2021.
  34. "Brewers Select Jordan Zimmermann". MLB Trade Rumors. April 29, 2021.
  35. Murray, Robert [@ByRobertMurray] (May 11, 2021). "RHP Jordan Zimmermann has announced his retirement" (Tweet). Retrieved May 11, 2021 via Twitter.
  36. "Jordan Zimmermann Retires". MLB Trade Rumors. May 11, 2021.
  37. Laurila, David (June 13, 2012). "Q&A: Jordan Zimmermann & Gio Gonzalez". FanGraphs . Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  38. "PITCHf/x Player Card: Jordan Zimmermann". BrooksBaseball.net. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  39. "Jordan Zimmermann - Stats - Pitch Type & Velocity". FanGraphs . Retrieved August 5, 2025.
Jordan Zimmermann
Jordan Zimmermann (47773832711) (cropped).jpg
Zimmermann with the Detroit Tigers in 2019
Pitcher
Born: (1986-05-23) May 23, 1986 (age 39)
Auburndale, Wisconsin, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 20, 2009, for the Washington Nationals
Last MLB appearance
May 7, 2021, for the Milwaukee Brewers
Achievements
Preceded by No-hitter pitcher
September 28, 2014
Succeeded by