Story by
Brewers Shuffle Pitching Staff, Promote Brian Fitzpatrick
- Story by
- Brewers Shuffle Pitching Staff, Promote Brian Fitzpatrick
(© William Glasheen Imagn Images)
The Milwaukee Brewers made a series of roster moves Tuesday, reshaping both their bullpen and organizational depth as injuries and performance concerns continue to surface early in the season.
Left-hander Ángel Zerpa was placed on the 15-day Injured List, retroactive to April 26, due to left forearm tightness. While the club has yet to provide extensive details, the designation raises concern given both the nature of the injury and Zerpa's recent struggles on the mound.
Advertisement
In his place, Milwaukee selected the contract of fellow lefty Brian Fitzpatrick, marking a significant milestone for the 25-year-old, who is now in line to make his Major League debut. The move fills an open spot on the 40-man roster that became available following last week's roster shuffle.
Zerpa's absence comes amid a difficult start to his Brewers tenure. The southpaw has posted a 6.39 ERA and has seen a slight dip in velocity compared to last season, a combination that had already put him under scrutiny before the injury setback.
Fitzpatrick, a 10th-round pick in 2022, doesn't carry top-prospect status but has quietly built a case for a big league opportunity. After climbing from High-A to Double-A in 2025, he impressed with a 2.06 ERA across 39 1/3 innings, pairing a strong strikeout rate with solid control.
Though he stumbled during a late-season stint in Triple-A, Fitzpatrick has rebounded in 2026, opening the year with over 10 scoreless innings while showcasing improved command and a ground-ball-heavy profile.
Advertisement
His promotion also helps Milwaukee maintain balance in the bullpen, keeping an even mix of right- and left-handed options despite multiple injuries to key arms.
Meanwhile, outfielder Luis Matos cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville, keeping him within the organization. Once regarded as a promising young bat, Matos has yet to translate his minor-league success to the Major League level.
Another note is that Andrew Vaughn and Jackson Chourio will begin their rehab assignments in Triple-A Nashville. Vaughn and Chourio have been out since the start of the season dealing with some hand/wrist injuries.
With limited service time and no prior outright assignment, he will remain as non-roster depth rather than electing free agency.
Advertisement
Milwaukee will now look to stabilize its pitching staff while continuing to evaluate internal options like Fitzpatrick, whose opportunity arrives at a pivotal moment for a bullpen searching for consistency.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
