Angel Zerpa: Contract| Savant| Stats| Injury update| Return Timeline

Angel Zerpa has become one of the more intriguing left-handed bullpen pieces in Major League Baseball thanks to advanced metrics and recent roster moves. From contract status to performance analytics and injury history, here’s a comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know about the Venezuelan reliever.

Contract Status: What’s Next for Angel Zerpa?

As of the 2025–26 offseason, Angel Zerpa is arbitration-eligible for the first time in his MLB career. His service time makes him eligible for arbitration in 2026, setting the stage for his first negotiated salary raise beyond the league minimum. Zerpa is not yet eligible for free agency — that is currently projected for 2029, barring future service time acceleration.

This contract trajectory is typical for pitchers who debuted early and have accrued multiple seasons of service time while remaining effective out of the bullpen.

Statcast & Savant Profile: Why Teams Value Him

While Zerpa’s traditional numbers don’t jump off the page, his advanced metrics paint a clearer picture of his value:

• Elite ground-ball rate: Zerpa ranked in the 99th percentile among MLB pitchers in ground balls induced in 2025, a key indicator of effectiveness in limiting hard contact.

• Pitch mix: His arsenal is led by a heavy sinker (mid-96 mph) complemented by a slider and four-seam fastball — a combination designed to keep hitters on the ground rather than in the air.

• Peripheral numbers: Metrics like SIERA and xFIP suggest Zerpa’s underlying performance may outpace his ERA, indicating he could outperform expectations in improved run-prevention environments.

These Savant and Statcast indicators have helped explain why teams value Zerpa even in neutral traditional stat lines.

MLB Performance Stats: 2023–2025 Review

Here’s a snapshot of Zerpa’s MLB numbers through the 2025 season:

Zerpa’s usage profile shifted toward relief work after his debut, with only occasional spot starts. Most of his value has come from high-leverage relief innings rather than starting roles.

Injury History & Updates

Zerpa’s career has included a few bumps on the injury front:

• 2023 Patellar Tendon Issue: According to historical reports, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with a small patellar tendon tear during a minor league stint, forcing him to miss significant time.

• Shoulder Tendinopathy (2023): Earlier in 2023, Zerpa dealt with left shoulder tendinopathy, another factor that slowed his progression before returning to Triple-A play.

Despite these setbacks, there are no major recent reports of ongoing injuries in 2025 or the current offseason, suggesting Zerpa is healthy heading into the 2026 season. Modern bullpen pitchers with sound mechanics often bounce back well from minor lower-body issues like knee discomfort.

Return Timeline & 2026 Expectations

With recent roster news, Zerpa will now be wearing a Milwaukee Brewers uniform after a Dec 2025 trade from the Kansas City Royals. The Brewers dealt outfielder Isaac Collins and reliever Nick Mears to acquire the lefty, highlighting Milwaukee’s belief in Zerpa’s upside as a late-inning bullpen arm.

Since he is healthy without any current injury flags:

• 2026 Spring Training: Expect Zerpa to compete for a meaningful bullpen role during spring training.

• Early Season Bullpen Impact: Given his ground-ball skill set and matchup ability, he could slot into high-leverage innings against left-handed hitters.

• Long-Term Outlook: As he enters arbitration eligibility and accumulates more innings, Zerpa should be poised to secure more guaranteed money and stability in Milwaukee’s bullpen mix.

Conclusion

Angel Zerpa’s profile is that of a ground-ball-centric reliever with strong advanced metrics, a healthy injury history (post-recovery), and a favorable contract trajectory as he enters arbitration. His recent trade to the Brewers underscores his perceived value, and he looks set for a meaningful 2026 campaign if he continues to refine his craft.