Left-hander Rob Zastryzny has been traded from the Yankees to the Brewers, according to announcements from both clubs. Andrew Wagner of Freeman Sports was among those to notice earlier that Zastryzny was in the Brewer clubhouse. The Yanks, who signed the southpaw to a minor league deal, receive cash considerations in return. The Brewers have selected the lefty to their roster and optioned righty Elvis Peguero as the corresponding move. Milwaukee already had an open 40-man spot via Vinny Capra being designated for assignment recently.
As mentioned, Zastryzny signed a minor league deal with the Yankees in the winter. He has been at the Triple-A level so far this year with mediocre surface-level results but better numbers under the hood. Through 12 innings, he has a 23.5% strikeout rate, 50% ground ball rate and no walks. Though he has a 4.50 earned run average, thanks to a .378 batting average on balls in play and 60.6% strand rate.
The Brewers are already familiar with Zastryzny, as he pitched for them last year. He signed a minor league deal with Milwaukee ahead of the 2024 campaign and was called up in the summer. However, he only got to make nine appearances before some left elbow tendinitis put him on the injured list in late July. He stayed on the IL through the end of the year and was put on waivers in November, with the Cubs claiming him. He later cleared waivers in February and elected free agency, which led to his deal with the Yankees.
Zastryzny has pitched in six separate MLB seasons but has just 67 innings under his belt. In that time, he has a 4.30 ERA, 18.2% strikeout rate, 10.5% walk rate and 44.8% ground ball rate. His minor league numbers have generally been better. From 2021 to the present, he has thrown 143 2/3 innings on the farm with a 3.57 ERA, 29.1% strikeout rate and 7.6% walk rate.
He finished last year hurt but appears to be healthy now. Perhaps he had some sort of opt-out or upward mobility clause in his contract, with the Brewers more willing to give him a roster spot than the Yankees.
Photo courtesy of Benny Sieu, Imagn Images