Brewer lefty Angel Zerpa to undergo Tommy John surgery

Apr 17, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Angel Zerpa (61) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Just a day after getting two of their best hitters back, the Brewers received some unfortunate news on the pitching front: left-hander Angel Zerpa will undergo Tommy John surgery, shelving him for the rest of the 2026 season and likely the start of 2027, too. Zerpa, 26, was acquired from the Royals back in December, as Milwaukee sent righty Nick Mears and switch-hitting outfielder Isaac Collins to Kansas City.

Entering the season with a career 3. 97 ERA and 4. 13 FIP, it seemed like an odd move as the Brewers lost arguably a better reliever in Mears along with a valuable outfield depth piece.

Zerpa then starred for Team Venezuela in this spring’s World Baseball Classic, making six appearances spanning 5 1/3 innings, allowing no runs on three hits and a walk (one intentional), striking out eight. He got out to a solid start with Milwaukee this season, allowing no runs over his first four appearances, spanning 4 2/3 innings, with three strikeouts. He then picked up his first career save in his fifth appearance, but things quickly went downhill from there.

Over his final eight appearances (including the save), he allowed 11 runs (nine earned) over just eight innings, raising his ERA to 6. 39 and FIP to 5. 35.