Former Blue Jays starter looks to new teammate for inspiration

Save for a single appearance in 2023, it has been over five years since the left-hander played in a major league game. Since his two seasons with the Blue Jays, he has spent several years in the minors, as well as two seasons in Korea.

In July of last year, while pitching in Triple-A for the Iowa Cubs, he took an old balance drill he had learned and applied to his pitching mechanics. The results were almost immediate.

Now 30, Pannone finds himself in camp with the Milwaukee Brewers Brewers, who signed him to a minor league deal in November.

And while Pannone knows that nothing is guaranteed, he needn't look far for inspiration in finding someone who has turned a minor contract into bonafide major league success - his new teammate Nestor Cortes.

While both pitchers vary the delivery in an attempt to keep hitters off balance, Pannone also has a second aim, to slow everything down.

He's even channeling been Cortes on the mound and mimicking his delivery.

Above all, Pannone is preaching patience. Mostly for himself.

It's still the early days of Spring, but the results so far have been positive for Pannone. If he keeps it up, he might just find himself on a major league roster come opening day.