The Chicago Cubs traded for right-handed reliever Ryan Brasier Tuesday night, acquiring the veteran righty from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Brasier was a Cubs offseason target last year before he eventually re-signed with the Dodgers.
To make room on the 40-man roster the Cubs designated left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny for assignment.
The Cubs acquired Zastryzny back in November, claiming him off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. The lefty was a second-round pick in 2013 out of Missouri and pitched in parts of three seasons with the Cubs from 2016-18.
Zastryzny is mostly remembered by fans for his first MLB start with the Cubs on Sept. 29, 2016, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He tossed 3.2 innings at PNC Park in what was his eighth appearance with the Cubs in 2016. It's become a fun tidbit because that game ended in a 1-1 tie, after play was suspended in the top of the sixth inning because of rain. At the time, it was the first tie in MLB since the 2005 season.
The #Cubs today acquired RHP Ryan Brasier from the Dodgers for a player to be named later or cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, LHP Rob Zastryzny has been designated for assignment.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 5, 2025
Welcome to Chicago, Ryan! pic.twitter.com/yFvjvwGivx
Zastryzny stuck around in the Cubs organization through the 2018 season, making another 10 appearances in the majors before he moved on and signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers in February 2019. The 32-year-old has bounced around the league for the past five years, getting back up to the big leagues with the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates and in 2024 with the Brewers.
Zastryzny has a career 4.30 ERA in 67 innings of work. In his brief time with the Brewers last year the left-hander posted a 1.17 ERA in 7.2 innings.
Brasier is owed $4.5 million for the 2025 season. Los Angeles is reportedly sending some cash to the Cubs. As for the return, the Cubs are either sending cash or a player to be named later.
In 2024, Brasier posted a 3.54 ERA in 28 innings of work. The righty missed a big chunk of the season because of a calf strain that sidelined him from the end of April until mid-August. When Brasier returned he was great, recording a 2.76 ERA in 16.1 innings.
Brasier has 297 MLB appearances throughout his career, pitching for the Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox and Dodgers. He has a 3.85 ERA in 285.1 innings.
The 37-year-old righty was recently DFA'd by Los Angeles after the team signed free agent reliever Kirby Yates.
