Brewers talk veteran pitcher out of retirement after placing Corbin Burnes on IL

Corbin Burnes going on the IL means Jordan Zimmermann rejoins the Milwaukee Brewers.

Jordan Zimmermann was all set on retiring before the Milwaukee Brewers called him up to replace Corbin Burnes on the roster, who has gone on the IL for unspecified reasons.

The veteran right-hander had an opt-out in his Minor League deal with the Brewers that could have been exercised on April 30. This was his first season with the Brewers organization after coming off five unspectacular years with the Detroit Tigers. Prior to pitching in irrelevancy in Detroit, Zimmermann was a two-time NL All-Star when he was with the Washington Nationals.

Even though we have no idea why Burnes went on the IL, Zimmermann is no longer retiring.

Milwaukee Brewers convinced Jordan Zimmermann not to retire just yet

Through 25 games, the Brewers have the best record in the NL Central at 15-10. They are two games up on the second-place St. Louis Cardinals. Heading into the second game of their home series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, only Los Angeles (16-10) and the San Francisco Giants (16-9) have a better record than the Brewers in the Senior Circuit. Milwaukee could win the NL Central.

Even though it is still early, Milwaukee’s strong April makes the Brewers a serious contender to come out of the National League. Though the best club in the NL probably plays in the NL West, Milwaukee looks to be stronger than any team in the NL East right now. While Burnes has been a big reason for that, maybe Zimmermann can find the fountain of youth playing for the Brewers?

Zimmermann is still only in his mid-30s, so he might have something left in the tank after all.