CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs have acquired right-handed pitcher Ryan Brasier from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cubs have designated left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny for assignment. This move keeps the Cubs’ 40-man roster at full capacity.
Ryan Brasier, 37, holds a career record of 10-8 with a 3.85 ERA (122 ER/285.1 IP) and 10 saves across 297 major league games (five starts). Brasier has played for the Los Angeles Angels (2013), Boston Red Sox (2018-23), and Dodgers (2023-24). In 2024, he recorded a 1-0 record with a 3.54 ERA (11 ER/28.0 IP) in 29 games (four starts) for the Dodgers, keeping opponents scoreless in 22 of those appearances. Brasier also contributed to the Dodgers’ World Series championship by pitching in eight postseason games.
Brasier made his MLB debut with the Angels in 2013 but found his stride with the Red Sox starting in 2018. That year, he posted a 1.60 ERA (6 ER/33.2 IP) in 34 regular-season games and appeared in nine of Boston’s 14 postseason contests, allowing just one run (1.04 ERA), and helped the team win the World Series. In 2019, Brasier achieved a career-high seven saves in 62 games for the Red Sox.
After parts of four more seasons with the Red Sox (2020-23), Brasier was released and signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers on June 4, 2023. He was called up on June 20 and finished the season with a 2-0 record and a 0.70 ERA (3 ER/38.2 IP) in 39 appearances. Notably, Brasier gave up only one earned run post-All-Star break and pitched 10.1 consecutive scoreless innings in September.
A native of Wichita Falls, Texas, Brasier was selected by the Angels in the sixth round of the 2007 draft out of Weatherford Community College. He graduated from Wichita Falls Rider High School.
Rob Zastryzny, 32, was claimed off waivers from Milwaukee on November 4, 2024. In 54 career major league games (five starts), he has a 4-0 record with a 4.30 ERA (32 ER/67.0 IP).
