Brewers place Angel Zerpa on IL with 'highly concerning' forearm tightness

Miami WR Malachi Toney will reportedly undergo ankle surgery

Story by

Story by
Brewers place Angel Zerpa on IL with 'highly concerning' forearm tightness

Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wed, Apr 29, 2026 ·

5 min read

About Our Ads

The Milwaukee Brewers have lost another high-leverage, left-handed option in their bullpen for the foreseeable future.

Angel Zerpa was placed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, April 29, with left forearm tightness, retroactive to April 26.

Left-hander Brian Fitzpatrick was selected from Class AAA Nashville in the corresponding move.

"It's highly concerning," manager Pat Murphy said. "It's something that had been kind of bothering him. His velocity went down during the game (on April 25) and William (Contreras) looked over at me like, 'It's not right.' The velocity was down some, but not drastically.

"That's when we got him out of there and they checked him out. Now it's an IL and there's going to be further testing and evaluation, and a second opinion."

Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick (10) hits a solo home run during the second inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after a run by the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning of their game Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Brewers scored eight runs in the inning.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) fields a bunt single by Milwaukee Brewers second baseman David Hamilton (6) during the sixth inning of their game Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman David Hamilton (6) hits a two-run double during the sixth inning of their game Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers (9) hits a two-run single during the sixth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Tyler Black (7) hits a broken bat single for an RBI off of Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Hoffmann (56) during the sixth inning of their game Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell (5) hits an RBI single during the sixth inning of their game Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz (3) hits a sacrifice bunt single and advance to first on a throwing error during the sixth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman David Hamilton (6) hits a bunt single during the sixth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Tyler Black (7) watches his two-run single during the fifth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Tyler Black (7) hits a two-run single during the fifth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) rounds first base after hitting a double during the fifth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) hits a double during the fifth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) hits a single during the fifth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz (3) hits a two-run single off of Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) during the fourth inning of their game Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz (3) hits a two-run single during the fourth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers' Brice Turang (2) is unable to beat the the throw to Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Ildemaro Vargas (6) during the third inning of their game Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick (10) rounds first base after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick (10) hits a solo home run off of Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) during the second inning of their game Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Sal Frelick (10) watches his solo home run during the second inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Chad Patrick (39) throws during the first inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) hits a two-run single during the fifth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) is shown during the first inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy, right, talks with game preparation specialist Evan Martin during the first inning of their game against the Arizona Diamond Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy is shown during the first inning of their game against the Arizona Diamond Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Tyler Black is shown during the first inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Milwaukee Bucks forwrard Taurean Prince throws a ceremonial first pitch before the Milwaukee game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Miss Wisconsin Teen USA Autumn Gunderson throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the Milwaukee Brewers game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, April 28, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Asked for a possible timetable for Zerpa's return, Murphy was blunt.

"He's not going to be back anytime soon," he said.

Zerpa blew two saves and took a loss in his last three outings and through 12 appearances (12 ⅔ innings) he's 0-2 with a 6.39 ERA, WHIP of 1.74 and a pair of saves.

Brewers pitcher Angel Zerpa (61) and catcher William Contreras talk during a game April 25. Zerpa was placed on the 15-day IL on April 29 with left forearm tightness, retroactive to April 26.

Zerpa had been expected to be a big contributor in Milwaukee's remade bullpen after being acquired from the Kansas City Royals on Dec. 14 in exchange for outfielder Isaac Collins and right-hander Nick Mears .

He impressed while pitching for eventual champion Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic in March, going 1-0 while not allowing a run with eight strikeouts in 5 ⅓ innings spread over six appearances.

But could his usage in the WBC have potentially played a role in his becoming injured at this early stage of the season?

The Brewers, after all, have already been without outfielder Jackson Chourio to this point after he suffered a fractured bone in his left hand while also playing for Venezuela in the WBC.

"The appearances here, I think, were spread out pretty good," Murphy said. "Obviously you can allude to (the WBC potentially being a cause), but there's no proof why these guys get hurt when they do. There's other guys that have been underused purposely in the same thing.

"There's no rhyme or reason to it. We don't know if there were remains of an old injury. We just don't know, so you can't pin it on the WBC."

With Zerpa and fellow reliever Jared Koenig (elbow sprain, late May, early June return) badly dinging their left-handed depth in the bullpen, the Brewers will now turn to their 2022 10th-round draft pick Fitzpatrick.

The Smithtown, N.Y., native and Rutgers University product has enjoyed a steady ascent through Milwaukee's minor-league system, including stops at Class High A Wisconsin, Class AA Biloxi and Nashville last season.

He wasn't invited to major-league spring training but was unscored upon in seven Cactus League appearances with seven strikeouts in 6 ⅔ innings and carried that over to Nashville, where he was 1-1 in 10 appearances with a 0.00 ERA (two unearned runs), a 0.87 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 10 ⅓ innings.

"He was great this spring," said Murphy. "He's got five offerings but the fastball-change sticks out. He was good in the spring and apparently he's done really well.

"Excited as hell for him. I love it. I'm so excited to be in a position to see all these guys make their debuts."

Fitzpatrick was asked to describe himself as a pitcher. His arsenal includes four-seam and two-seam fastballs, cutter, changeup and sweeper.

"I'm a competitor. I love to compete," he said. "I leave it all out there. I don't leave any regrets on the field. Everybody's got something that they're really good at in this world, and I was blessed enough to be really good at baseball."

Brian Fitzpatrick, a 10th-round draft pick in 2022, has been called up by the Brewers.

Fitzpatrick actually pitched ⅔ of an inning in an exhibition game against the Cincinnati Reds on March 24 at American Family Field and then got his chance in a real game when he was called upon to replace DL Hall in the seventh inning of an eventual 6-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks .

He allowed an infield single to the first batter he faced, Corbin Carroll , then went on to throw 1 ⅓ scoreless innings with two hits and a walk allowed.

"Happened pretty quick," Fitzpatrick said after the game. "They called down and said, 'Fitz, get hot,' and it took 5-7 pitches to get going. Murph headed out there and I was in the game. When I got out there, it felt like baseball and thankfully the rules still apply in the big leagues like they do in the minor leagues.

"I was able to get out of it, and it was really cool. It felt like I was floating when I was running in there, to be honest. But once I got in there everything felt normal."

Fitzpatrick also had a large rooting section of family and friends, which he couldn't help but hearing and seeing.

"It was hard not to hear them. They're a pretty loud bunch," he said. "They were pretty excited. I heard them when I got through the gate. Then you look up and see mom and dad and you try to just wait until after to tell them you love them and everything.

"It was pretty cool."

Additionally, the Brewers announced Chourio and first baseman Andrew Vaughn began their minor-league rehab assignments at Nashville and that outfielder Luis Matos cleared waivers and was outrighted to Nashville.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers place Angel Zerpa on IL with 'concerning' forearm tightness

Mobilize your Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by:

Miami WR Malachi Toney will reportedly undergo ankle surgery

Brewers place Angel Zerpa on IL with 'highly concerning' forearm tightness

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Milwaukee Brewers played the Arizona Diamondbacks