Brewers: 5 Players You Completely Forgot Were On The Brewers

1 of 3

MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 07: Jordan Zimmermann #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers delivers a pitch during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 07, 2021 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Over the course of the 2021 regular season, the Milwaukee Brewers have used 60 different players on their 26 man roster at some point. Some are more memorable than others.

There’s been a lot of turnover with this roster through the year as David Stearns and the front office have tinkered with this roster to get it as best as it can be. However, there have been some players that did not stick around very long or did not perform well enough to be remembered.

It’s almost a little difficult to remember the pre-Willy Adames era as the same season as the one that’s concluding right now. That’s how much things have changed over the summer.

Here are five players that most Brewers fans completely forgot were even on the roster at any point in the 2021 season.

1. Jordan Zimmermann

Yes, that was this season, and no it wasn’t a dream. Jordan Zimmermann was once on this Brewers roster in 2021.

Signed shortly before spring training on a minor league deal, Wisconsin-born Jordan Zimmermann didn’t make the team out of camp as he was trying to get stretched out as a starter but went to the alternate site as a reliever to help out this team.

He was called up right before he had decided to retire, actually, shortly after he decided to retire. As the alternate site wound down and the Triple-A season was set to begin, Zimmermann decided to hang up his cleats and drove home, and then the Brewers called and said they wanted him in Milwaukee.

Zimmermann made two appearances for the Brewers out of the bullpen, allowing five earned runs in 5.2 IP. Ironically, he also allowed five earned runs in 5.2 IP in 2020 in his final season with the Tigers.

He pitched in the games on May 2nd and May 7th and had a scoreless two innings on the 7th. Four days later, on May 11th, Zimmermann announced his retirement, having his final appearance in the big leagues be a scoreless outing. A good way to end it for a pitcher who had some great seasons with the Nationals from 2011-2015.

He made some final appearances in the big leagues with the team he grew up rooting for, got a final farewell in the big leagues, and he went out on his own terms. Not many players can say that.

From the beginning, everyone knew Zimmermann was near the end, if not already there. But the Brewers were able to provide one final opportunity for him.

Apr 1, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia (3) hits the game winning hit in the tenth inning against the Minnesota Twins at American Family Field. The Milwaukee Brewers won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Orlando Arcia

Yep, that was this season. Earlier this year, Orlando Arcia was battling for the Brewers shortstop job, lost it, and was traded to Atlanta on April 6, not even a week into the regular season.

After five seasons as the Brewers shortstop, the Crew had finally seen enough of his mediocre offensive production and moved on to Luis Urias. Little did they know Urias would end up having struggles of his own as the everyday shortstop, which led to the Willy Adames trade six weeks later. But that’s beside the point.

Arcia was one of the most recognizable Brewers of the past few years, and he was a fan favorite for many. His bat frustrated at times, but he was slick in the field and he had an infectious smile that personified the culture of this team. He had fun, he was a key energy-bringer to the clubhouse, and losing him was a tough blow emotionally.

It’s hard to believe that Arcia was on the team this very same season, and that he had the walk off on Opening Day.

What might speak most to Arcia’s role on the team is that in the six weeks from when he left to when Willy Adames arrived, the Brewers clearly were lacking energy on the field and in the clubhouse. They didn’t appear to be having fun. A lot of that can probably be attributed to not having Arcia in the clubhouse every single day to bring that energy.

3. Patrick Weigel

One of the two players the Brewers got in return for Arcia was Patrick Weigel. Weigel, a reliever prospect, had a decent pedigree when he came over, but he struggled in his few appearances on the big league roster.

There was some hope that the Brewers could turn Weigel into a serviceable reliever, but in his three appearances in late April and early May, Weigel showed some very concerning signs.

In his first game, Weigel walked three batters. In his second outing, he got three strikeouts in 1.1 IP, but allowed a couple of hits and took 35 pitches to complete those four outs. In his final appearance for the Brewers this season, Weigel allowed two runs in 0.2 IP, giving up a walk and a home run to follow.

Weigel was sent back down to Triple-A after that, was called back up in mid-June, but did not appear in a game. He was designated for assignment off the 40 man roster on July 30th to make room for the Crew’s Trade Deadline acquisitions.

He was outrighted to Nashville and is still in the organization. The 27 year old faces an uphill battle to get his MLB career going again.

Aug 7, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Sal Romano (48) reacts after giving up a two-run home run to San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (not pictured) in the eleventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Ryan Weber

Who? Exactly. You can be forgiven for not remembering that Ryan Weber was a part of this 2021 Brewers roster.

The Brewers selected Weber off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox waived him after he made one appearance for them this season, an outing in which he allowed 11 earned runs in 5.2 IP.

Weber made his lone Brewers appearance on June 27th against the Colorado Rockies. He went one inning, allowed one hit, eliminated him on a double play, and finished the inning facing just three batters on eight pitches.

He was sent back to Nashville the next day and was put on waivers shortly after that. Then he was claimed by the Mariners and his Brewers tenure was over.

It was just eight pitches in one outing, but it helped the bullpen lock down a 5-0 victory over the Rockies and continue their march towards a massive division lead.

5. Sal Romano

Again, who?

The Brewers claimed Sal Romano off waivers from the New York Yankees when their bullpen was going through a Covid issue. With most of the regular bullpen arms down, the Brewers needed extra depth, and Romano provided that… for one outing.

Sal Romano pitched in exactly one game for the Brewers, and it was on August 7th. It did not go as smoothly as Ryan Weber’s lone Brewers appearance. Romano allowed three earned runs in his one inning of work, which was in the 11th inning of a 9-6 loss to the Giants. A loss that Romano took on his record.

That was the infamous Avi Garcia Drop game, allowing a 2-1 lead to slip away, and the Giants tied it at 2, went into extras, and won 9-6. Romano’s struggles put the game out of reach in the 11th as he gave up a home run to, unsurprisingly, Brandon Belt and a double to Kris Bryant.

He was released a few days later and signed back with the Yankees.

dark. Next. Brewers Celebrate NL Central Title In Hilarious Way

These guys may not be the players Brewers fans think of when they look back on the 2021 season, but they played a part in it, ever so small of one.

Home / Brewers News