Payamps cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Nashville, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
The Brewers kicked Payamps off their 40-man roster last Thursday after he'd accumulated an 8.35 ERA and 1.69 WHIP through 18.1 innings. No team was willing to take on the remainder of his $2.995 million salary for that level of performance, so he'll remain in the organization and attempt to earn his way back into the big leagues with Nashville.
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Brewers' Joel Payamps: Booted from 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Brewers designated Payamps for assignment Thursday.
After turning in a 2.78 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across his first two seasons with the Brewers, Payamps hasn't been anywhere near as effective in 2025, giving up 17 earned runs in only 18.1 innings. His poor performance will ultimately cost him his spot on the 26-man and 40-man rosters, though his previous success could make him a waiver target for other teams in need of bullpen help.
Brewers' Joel Payamps: Gets back on track with save
Rotowire
Payamps picked up the save after throwing a clean ninth inning Thursday against the Reds. He struck out one.
With closer Trevor Megill having worked each of the past two days, Payamps got the call to preserve a narrow 1-0 lead in the ninth inning and made quick work of Cincinnati on just 11 pitches (nine strikes). It was the first save of the year for Payamps, who got back on track Thursday after yielding five runs in his first three frames of the campaign. The right-hander is likely to remain a setup man for the Brewers throughout 2025, but he appears to be the next man up for ninth-inning work on occasions when Megill is unavailable.
Payamps allowed two earned runs over an inning of relief in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Padres.
Payamps opened the exhibition season with three straight scoreless outings, but he was touched up for a couple runs in his fourth appearance. Payamps was a steady presence near the back end of Milwaukee's bullpen the last two years, over which he racked up 10 wins and nine saves. He figures to fill a similar role in 2025 and will likely open the campaign as the setup man in front of closer Trevor Megill.
Payamps agreed to a one-year, $2.995 million contract with the Brewers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Payamps gave up just three runs (two earned) in 21 innings over the final two months of the 2024 regular season, allowing him to finish the year with a 3.05 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. With Devin Williams now in the Bronx, Trevor Megill is likely the Brewers' new go-to option for saves, though Payamps may be asked to handle the ninth inning at times over the course of the season.
Payamps (forearm) made relief appearances Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, covering a scoreless inning in each outing while racking up six strikeouts and allowing one hit and one walk.
Payamps exited a relief appearance Sept. 15 against the Diamondbacks due to right forearm tightness, but he quickly dispelled any concern about his health by playing catch a day later. He's since gone on to deliver three dominant appearances in a row and has yet to allow an earned run in any of his last nine outings out of the Milwaukee bullpen. Payamps will be locked into a key setup role in front of closer Devin Williams heading into the postseason.
Payamps was able to play catch Monday, one day after exiting an appearance versus the Diamondbacks with right forearm tightness, Jack Stern of Brewer Fanatic reports.
The Brewers have yet to decide whether Payamps will be available for Monday's game against the Phillies, but it's a good sign that he's already throwing again. Payamps boasts a 1.15 ERA since the beginning of August, having allowed an earned run in just one of 18 appearances over that stretch.
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