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Brewers designate pitcher for assignment after 3 seasons ahead of MLB playoffs
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- Brewers designate pitcher for assignment after 3 seasons ahead of MLB playoffs
With less than two weeks remaining in the 2026 MLB season, the Milwaukee Brewers are on pace to secure the sport's best record. Before play on Thursday, the club is 95-57 and in possession of the National League's No. 1 seed.
The team already won their division and currently has a three-game lead on the Los Angeles Dodgers for the all-important No. 1 seed. It would give Milwaukee permanent home field throughout the NL postseason bracket.
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The Brewers have cycled through a plethora of pitchers this year like any other team. One veteran on their 40-man roster who unfortunately never cracked the big league club in 2026 is left-hander Rob Zastryzny .
The 34-year-old has dealt with various injuries this season, which limited him to only 10 games at Triple-A Nashville. It was reported Thursday by Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Zastryzny has been designated for assignment.
Background on Zastryzny
The left-hander has played in seven MLB seasons since his debut in 2016 for the world champion Chicago Cubs . He went on to play for the New York Mets , Los Angeles Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates before joining the Brewers in 2023.
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Zastryzny's career has been marked by a struggle to stay in MLB. That said, he has always worked hard in the minor leagues and independent ball. He played entirely in those areas from 2019 through 2021 while out of MLB.
The 34-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Brewers on December 12, 2023. In 35 major league games across 2024 and 2025, Zastryzny pitched to a 2.12 ERA over 29 ⅔ innings. He struck out 25 and walked 11.
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Potential retirement
MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers
Jun 24, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Rob Zastryzny (58) pitches in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
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Being DFA'd at 34 likely means Zastryzny will elect to be a free agent. He will turn 35 at the start of next season, so it will be interesting to see if he does get another opportunity. If he does, it would likely be another minor league deal.
Zastryzny has already spent so much time down there in recent seasons that another stint might not make sense. He will also be returning from shoulder and trapezius injuries, which could greatly limit his effectiveness at his age. Retirement could be on the table.
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