Lindblom announced via his person Twitter account Thursday he is retiring from professional baseball.
Lindblom elected free agency in November after spending the past three seasons with the Brewers, and he won't continue his MLB career in 2023. The 35-year-old had a 4.78 ERA across 209 innings during his seven years in the big leagues.
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Josh Lindblom: Exploring free agency
Rotowire
Lindblom elected free agency Sunday.
Following a strong run overseas in Korea, Lindblom signed a three-year, $9.1 million deal with the Brewers in December 2019 with the expectation that he would be a serviceable back-end starter for the club, but he was outrighted off the 40-man roster less than a season and a half into his tenure with Milwaukee. He hasn't resurfaced in the big leagues since being designated for assignment in May 2021, as he spent the entire 2022 campaign at Triple-A Nashville, where he submitted a 4.05 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 133.1 innings. With his contract expiring, Lindblom had the option of sticking around in the Brewers organization as a depth arm at Nashville, but he'll instead explore his options in free agency as he heads into his age-36 campaign. If Lindblom doesn't retire or isn't willing to accept a minor-league deal, he could look to return overseas, where he would likely be in store for a more lucrative payday in light of his past success in Asia.
Lindblom cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.
The 33-year-old was designated for assignment Wednesday by the Brewers and will remain in the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. Lindblom had a 9.72 ERA, 1.98 WHIP and 17:10 K:BB over 16.2 innings, and he'll likely need to show a significant turnaround at Triple-A to receive another big-league chance this season.
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Brewers' Josh Lindblom: Designated for assignment
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Lindblom was designated for assignment Wednesday.
The righty reliever failed to make it halfway through the second year of his three-year deal, with his 9.72 ERA this season too egregious to afford him any more time on the Brewers' active roster. Lindblom struggled similarly in a starting role last season, posting a slightly less alarming 5.16 ERA. Left-hander Eric Lauer was recalled Wednesday to fill the DFA'd Lindblom's roster spot.
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Brewers' Josh Lindblom: Reinstated from injured list
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Lindblom (knee) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Lindblom had been on the injured list since April 24 due to right knee effusion. Prior to his injury, he posted a 10.97 ERA and 2.25 WHIP in 10.2 innings across five relief appearances. The right-hander will likely serve as a low-leverage reliever going forward.
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Brewers' Josh Lindblom: Nearing activation
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Lindblom (knee) rejoined the big-league club Tuesday and will be activated later in the week, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Right knee effusion landed Lindblom on the injured list April 24. The journeyman righty was already off to a rough start in 2021 before an eight-run nightmare raised his ERA to 10.97. He will likely work as a low-leverage long reliever upon his activation.
Lindblom (knee) is scheduled to make a rehab appearance at Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Lindblom will be one of three rehabbing Brewers heading to Nashville for its season opener, with position players Jace Peterson (thumb) and Derek Fisher (hamstring) also on track to make appearances in the game. Since the Brewers are viewing Lindblom as a long reliever, he may need to build up his pitch count over at least two rehab outings before he's activated from the 10-day injured list.
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Brewers' Josh Lindblom: Throws BP
Rotowire
Lindblom (knee) threw a round of live batting practice Thursday, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.
Reserve catcher Luke Maile took some swings against Lindblom, as did rehabbing outfielders Christian Yelich (back) and Lorenzo Cain (quadriceps). The fact that Lindblom is back on the mound just five days after landing on the 10-day injured list suggests that he's already making good progress in his recovery from a right knee effusion. Once the Brewers deem him ready to return from the IL, Lindblom will likely settle back into a long-relief role out of the Milwaukee bullpen.
Brewers' Josh Lindblom: Placed on 10-day injured list
Rotowire
Lindblom was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with right knee effusion.
Lindblom struggled mightily as a long reliever in Friday's blowout loss to the Cubs, and his injury may have contributed to his struggles. The right-hander allowed eight runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out five in 3.2 innings Friday and will now miss time due to a knee issue. It's not yet clear when Lindblom will be cleared to return. Outfielder Corey Ray was recalled by the Brewers in a corresponding move.
Lindblom will begin the 2021 season as a middle reliever, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Lindblom has made four appearances (three starts) this spring and posted a 4.66 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 9.2 innings. Manager Craig Counsell announced Thursday that Freddy Peralta will serve as Milwaukee's fifth starter to begin the regular season but was confident that Lindblom will make some starts at some point.
Brewers' Josh Lindblom: No sign of progress this spring
Rotowire
Lindblom gave up four earned runs over three innings in Friday's spring game against the Royals. He allowed three hits and posted a 6:2 K:BB in the contest.
Lindblom has appeared in three games this spring, and while he has struck out 10 batters over six innings, he has also posted a 7.50 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over that span. Thus far his performance has mimicked his 2020 season, as he has punched out a fair number of batters but has allowed too many of them to reach base and cross home plate. Lindblom is not necessarily guaranteed to open the season in the Brewers' starting rotation, but as long as he is healthy it's likely he will snag one of the spots that are left unsettled.
