Rob Zastryzny DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Chicago Cubs designated left-hander Rob Zastryzny for assignment on Tuesday to make room on the 40-man roster for right-handed reliever Ryan Brasier, who was acquired in a trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Zastryzny appeared in nine games (three starts) for the Milwaukee Brewers last year and allowed only one earned run on four hits while walking one and striking out five in 7 2/3 innings pitched. The 32-year-old Canadian southpaw has a career 4.30 ERA (3.72 FIP) and a 1.48 WHIP with a 54:31 K:BB in 67 career innings at the big-league level over six seasons. His 2024 campaign came to a premature end due to left-elbow tendonitis, but he should be ready to go for the start of spring training next week. Zastryzny could attract interest on waivers around the league as relief depth with spring training right around the corner.

The Milwaukee Brewers are going with a bullpen game in Wednesday's series finale at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs and will use left-hander Rob Zastryzny as the opener. Right-hander Bryse Wilson and left-hander Jacob Junis will both be available as bulk relievers. Zastryzny shouldn't be expected to go more than an inning in Chicago on Wednesday, so fantasy manager will want to avoid him as a streamer, even in a good matchup. The 32-year-old veteran Canadian southpaw has appeared in only eight games for the Brew Crew this year, and this will be his third time opening a game. He has yet to allow an earned run in 6 2/3 innings in 2024 with one walk and five strikeouts.

The Milwaukee Brewers will have pitcher Rob Zastryzny start Monday's game against the Colorado Rockies instead of Bryse Wilson. Milwaukee has done this quite a bit with Wilson recently, as the right-hander has started just once over his last four appearances. However, he is expected to pitch the bulk of innings, while Zastryzny will only pitch one to two frames. In his last appearance on June 25, Wilson came on in relief and threw six scoreless innings with four strikeouts against the Texas Rangers. Fantasy managers, though, should have lower expectations for him on Monday, considering he'll pitch at one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks at Coors Field.