Brewers cut ties with 7-year veteran with 3.41 ERA in surprising decision

The Milwaukee Brewers are shipping away a relief pitcher who had a 2.78 ERA across the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Yes, it's been a rough start to 2025 for Joel Payamps, but it was still a bit of a surprising move by the Brewers, given that Payamps has been a solid MLB reliever with a career 3.41 ERA.

Officially, they designated Payamps for assignment. That means he's off the 40-man roster. Payamps will go on waivers for 48 hours, where another team could claim him. He could also opt to be released rather than report to Triple-A if he passes through waivers.

This season, Payamps has an 8.35 ERA in 18.1 innings pitched. He's out of minor league options, so this was the only way to get him off the roster to active Aaron Civale from injury and call up Carlos Rodriguez.

Payamps has been a bit unlucky this season, with opponents compiling a .373 batting average on balls in play, and only 52.2% of Payamps' inherited runners being stranded by other pitchers.

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Payamps has a 4.44 FIP (fielding independent pitching), suggested his 8.35 ERA is inflated.

In the prior two seasons with Milwaukee, Payamps had 48 holds and nine saves while striking out 26.1% of the opposing batters he faced.

The question for other teams is whether Payamps can return to his past form, or whether this season's version is his new normal.

Relief pitchers are famously volatile, so it likely won't take long for someone to give Payamps a chance. It might even be the Brewers again sometime later this season.

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