With the MLB All-Star break coming to an end, all 30 teams will return to action on Friday, as the push to the playoffs begins. It’s also crunch time for teams to figure out if they are going to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.
The Atlanta Braves aren’t in seller mode yet, despite being 9.5 games out of the final wild card spot in the National League. That said, maybe that changes for Atlanta, depending on how they play over the next couple of weeks.
It’s not like the Braves don’t have the trade pieces, but are they willing to make such a decision, as they’ve been hit hard by injuries?
Meanwhile, one former Atlanta Braves pitcher is searching for a new team weeks ahead of the trade deadline, as he’s taking a gamble on himself.
Ex-Braves Pitcher Bruce Zimmermann Gets Released by Milwaukee Brewers
On Wednesday, Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors reported that former Braves fifth-round pick Bruce Zimmermann opted out of his minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers and will head into free agency.
Can confirm that Bruce Zimmermann did have an opt out in his deal. He exercised it and is now a free agent. https://t.co/3kkTfZzY5A
— Steve Adams (@Adams_Steve) July 16, 2025
The 30-year-old Zimmermann has spent this season at Triple-A Nashville, which is the Brewers’ minor league affiliate. Zimmermann joined the Brewers on a minor league deal this offseason after spending the last 4-5 years with the Baltimore Orioles.
This season at Triple-A Nashville, the 30-year-old southpaw had a 6-5 record and 4.96 ERA in 19 appearances (15 starts). The left-handed pitcher allowed 98 hits, 49 runs (43 earned), 19 walks, 13 home runs, while picking up 69 strikeouts in 89 innings pitched.
With Zimmermann electing free agency, he’ll try to find a better opportunity, which could allow him to get back to the majors at some point during the second half of the season.
Many Braves fans might not remember the lefty as he didn’t play a single game with the big league club. Atlanta took Zimmermann in the fifth round of the 2017 MLB June Amateur Draft.
Zimmermann spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons in the minors, making it to AA. However, Atlanta traded the southpaw to the Baltimore Orioles in a sizable deal involving Kevin Gausman and Darren O’Day on July 31, 2018.
Even though he never played a game with the Braves, the southpaw still spent a considerable amount of time in the organization. Therefore, it will be interesting to see where Zimmermann heads next in the coming days and weeks.