Amateur and minor league career Lindblom attended
Harrison High School in
West Lafayette, Indiana. He was drafted in the third round of the
2005 MLB draft by the
Houston Astros after being listed by
Baseball America as the top prospect in the state of
Indiana. He was 8–2 as a high school senior with a 2.30 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 76 innings. Rather than sign with the Astros, Lindblom chose to attend the
University of Tennessee. After one season with the
Tennessee Volunteers, Lindblom transferred to
Purdue University for the 2007 season. He was a
starter with Tennessee, but became the
closer for Purdue in 2007–2008. Lindblom was listed as being among the 75 top college baseball players by
USA Baseball. In 2007, he played
collegiate summer baseball with the
Cotuit Kettleers of the
Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.
Los Angeles Dodgers Lindblom was drafted by the
Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2nd round of the
2008 MLB draft and made his professional baseball debut that same year with the Single-A
Great Lakes Loons in the
Midwest League. He started eight games for the Loons, finishing 0–0 with a 1.86 ERA in 29 innings worked. He struck out 33 batters, while walking only 4. He got a late season call-up to the AA
Jacksonville Suns, where he made one start. In 2009, Lindblom pitched in several spring training games for the Major League Dodgers, and there was some speculation that he could even make the big league club to start the season. However, he was instead assigned to start the year with the Dodgers new AA affiliate, the
Chattanooga Lookouts. He made 14 appearances for the Lookouts, including 11 starts and had a record of 3–5 and an ERA of 4.71 when he was promoted to the AAA
Albuquerque Isotopes. With the Isotopes, Lindblom made three starts and then was transferred to the
bullpen. He had a 2.54 ERA in 20 games and was 3–0. In 2010, Lindblom spent the entire season with Albuquerque. He made 10 starts with the Isotopes, before they decided to return him to being a relief pitcher. He finished the season 3–2 with a 6.54 ERA in 40 appearances. He was demoted to Chattanooga in 2011, where he started the season with seven saves and a 2.96 ERA in 19 games. On May 29, 2011, Lindblom was called up to the Dodgers. He made his Major League debut in relief on June 1, 2011, against the
Colorado Rockies, allowing two hits in a scoreless seventh inning during a 3–0 Dodgers loss. On August 12, 2011, he won his first game, pitching a scoreless tenth inning against the
Houston Astros in a game the Dodgers won 1–0 in the bottom of that inning. He pitched in 29.2 innings for the Dodgers in 2011, with a 2.73 ERA and 28 strikeouts.
Philadelphia Phillies On July 31, 2012, Lindblom was traded to the
Philadelphia Phillies along with prospect
Ethan Martin for outfielder
Shane Victorino. He appeared in 26 games for the Phillies, with a 1–3 record and 4.63 ERA.
Texas Rangers The
Texas Rangers acquired Lindblom and minor league pitching prospect
Lisalverto Bonilla on December 9, 2012, from the
Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for
Michael Young. Lindblom was called up on May 20 when
Derek Lowe was designated for assignment and optioned back to the Triple-A
Round Rock Express on May 21. He was recalled again on June 9.
Oakland Athletics On December 3, 2013, Lindblom, along with outfielder
Craig Gentry, was traded to the
Oakland Athletics for outfielder
Michael Choice and infielder
Chris Bostick. He was designated for assignment on November 28, 2014.
Pittsburgh Pirates The
Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Lindblom off
waivers on December 8, 2014.
Lotte Giants On December 15, 2014, he signed with the
Lotte Giants of the
KBO League. He pitched there the next two seasons.
Second Stint With Pirates On December 16, 2016, Lindblom signed a minor league contract with the
Pittsburgh Pirates that included an invitation to spring training. On May 6, 2017, Lindblom was selected to the 40-man and active rosters after
Jameson Taillon went down with an injury. He was outrighted to AAA on June 24, 2017. Lindblom was released by the Pirates on July 12, 2017.
Return to KBO On July 13, 2017, the Lotte Giants announced that they had signed Lindblom again.
Doosan Bears On December 11, 2017, the
Doosan Bears announced the signing of Lindblom to a one-year, $1.45 million contract. 2018 was a successful season for Lindblom; he started 26 games with a 15–4 record, a league-leading 2.88 ERA, and the Pitcher's Golden Glove award. Lindblom received the 2019
KBO League Most Valuable Player Award, after posting a 20–3 record with a 2.50 ERA and 189 strikeouts over innings. Lindblom received his second pitcher's Golden Glove award for the 2019 season.
Milwaukee Brewers On December 16, 2019, Lindblom signed a three-year contract worth $9.125 million with the
Milwaukee Brewers. In his return to the major leagues in 2020, Lindblom recorded a 2–4 record and a 5.16 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 45.1 innings pitched. After struggling to a 9.72 ERA in 8 appearances, Lindblom was designated for assignment on May 26, 2021. He was outrighted to the Triple-A
Nashville Sounds on May 28. Lindblom played the entire 2022 season with Nashville and became a free agent after the season on November 6. On January 12, 2023, Lindblom announced his retirement from professional baseball via his personal Twitter account. ==Pitching style==