Axford announced Wednesday via social media that he has retired from professional baseball.

EDGE Analysis

Axford's playing days were believed to be behind him after he underwent Tommy John surgery as a 38-year-old in September 2021, but after sitting out the 2022 season, he proceeded to pitch for the Canadian team during the 2023 World Baseball Classic last spring. The right-hander didn't end up signing elsewhere following the WBC and will now formally step away from the game. A veteran of 544 career appearances over parts of 11 big-league seasons, Axford notched 144 saves and posted a lifetime 3.90 ERA in 525.2 innings across stints with Milwaukee, St. Louis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Colorado, Oakland, Toronto and the Dodgers. He enjoyed his best season with the Brewers in 2011, when he led the majors with 46 saves and finished ninth in the National League Cy Young Award balloting.

Axford (elbow) announced Monday via his personal Twitter account that he intends to pitch for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic this spring.

EDGE Analysis

After he recently resumed throwing bullpen sessions, Axford is presumably comfortable with where he stands in his recovery from his September 2021 Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent shortly after making his firs MLB appearance since the 2018 season. The veteran right-hander is set to turn 40 years old in April and isn't yet ruling out the possibility of pitching in affiliated ball after the World Baseball Classic, though he'll likely need a strong showing this spring just to land a minor-league deal in free agency.

Axford announced Monday via his personal Twitter account that he's resumed throwing for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last September.

EDGE Analysis

The fact that the 39-year-old right-hander is starting up a throwing program again would seem to suggest that he's not yet considering retirement after having the elbow procedure. Barring any setbacks in his rehab program, Axford should be close to 100 percent recovered from the procedure by the end of 2022 or early in 2023, but he'll likely have to settle for a minor-league deal this winter if he wants to continue playing.

Axford (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Axford's shift to the 60-day IL is simply procedural since he's dealing with significant structural damage in his elbow and won't pitch again this season. The Brewers haven't yet announced whether the 38-year-old will require surgery or if he'll be ready for the start of spring training in 2022.

Axford is dealing with significant structural damage in his elbow and won't pitch again in 2021, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Axford made his first major-league appearance since 2018 against the Pirates on Monday, but he was forced to exit the outing. The 38-year-old underwent an MRI that revealed his diagnosis, and he's currently evaluating his treatment options. However, he won't be cleared to pitch again until at least sometime in 2022.

Axford was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with an elbow injury, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

EDGE Analysis

The team is not prepared to share a specific injury designation, as more testing is required. Angel Perdomo was recalled to take Axford's place in the bullpen.

Axford left Monday's game against the Pirates with elbow pain and will undergo an MRI, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Axford will be considered day-to-day until details of his injury emerge. The Brewers can ill afford to lose any more relievers after losing Jake Cousins, Hunter Strickland and Jundel Gustave to the COVID-19 injured list.

Axford left Monday's game against the Pirates with an apparent injury, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

EDGE Analysis

Axford had a rough go of it in his first appearance with Milwaukee since 2013, as he hit a batter, gave up two singles and walked in a run before appearing to suffer an arm injury. He left the contest with the team trainer after recording just one out.

The Brewers acquired Axford from the Blue Jays on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.

EDGE Analysis

Per Will Sammon of The Athletic, Axford will be active for Milwaukee's series opener against Pittsburgh on Monday, so the Brewers will clear room on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for the 38-year-old reliever. Axford -- who hasn't appeared in the big leagues since 2018 -- enjoyed the best years of his career in Milwaukee, most notably setting the franchise single-season record for saves (46) in 2011. After linking up with the Blue Jays on a minor-league deal in late June, Axford proved he still had something left in the tank, as he posted a 0.84 ERA, 0.49 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB across 10.2 innings at Triple-A Buffalo. He'll provide aid to a Brewers bullpen that recently lost three members to the COVID-19 injured list.

Axford agreed to sign with the Blue Jays on Sunday, Jamie Campbell of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Axford's deal is pending a physical, but the 38-year-old could be on track to return to the mound in the near future. He underwent surgery to remove a bone spur in his throwing elbow in August of 2019 and failed to land a contract in 2020. Per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca, the right-hander's deal is a minor-league agreement. As a result, Axford will likely report to Triple-A Buffalo to begin his time with the organization.