The Nationals optioned Brzykcy (elbow) to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.
Brzykcy will head back to the minors after surrendering nine runs across 18 innings during spring training while striking out 18 batters and walking nine. The 24-year-old righty was dominant in Double-A in 2022 with a 1.89 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 38 frames and didn't allow a run in two Triple-A appearances upon being promoted at the end of the year. However, a forearm strain cost him the entire 2023 campaign, and Brzykcy underwent Tommy John surgery in June to address the issue. If Brzykcy is able to return to his 2022 form at Rochester once he fully recovers from his procedure, he could be a candidate to join Washington's bullpen at some point this season.
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Nationals' Zach Brzykcy: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Nationals selected Brzykcy (elbow) to their 40-man roster Tuesday.
Brzycky did not pitch in 2023 because of a forearm/elbow injury that eventually led to Tommy John surgery, but he is expected to return at some point in 2024 and is now protected from selection in next month's Rule 5 Draft. The 24-year-old right-hander carries a 3.49 ERA with 181 strikeouts in 123.2 career minor-league innings.
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Nationals' Zach Brzykcy: On mend from Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
Brzykcy is recovering from Tommy John surgery and won't return until next season, Baseball America reports.
This could have been guessed after the Nationals put Brzykcy on the full-season injured list in April after he suffered a forearm strain in February, but now we have official confirmation. Assuming he had the procedure in April or May, Brzykcy could return in the middle of the 2024 season. When healthy, the 23-year-old power righty is one of Washington's most exciting young relievers.
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Nationals' Zach Brzykcy: Shut down for season
Rotowire
Double-A Harrisburg placed Brzykcy (forearm) on its full-season injured list April 6.
According to Andrew Golden of The Washington Post, Brzykcy was scheduled to meet with a doctor Wednesday before determining his next steps for treating a right forearm strain, but the Nationals have seemingly already ruled out the possibility of the 23-year-old pitching this season. With that in mind, Brzykcy is presumably in line to undergo a procedure of some sort, though it's not yet known if Tommy John surgery is in the cards. Regardless, the forearm injury is a tough setback for Brzykcy, one of the organization's more promising reliever prospects.
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Nationals' Zach Brzykcy: Suffers forearm strain
Rotowire
Brzykcy was diagnosed with a right forearm strain Sunday and will be shut down from throwing for 2-to-4 weeks, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Brzykcy had an outside chance at making Washington's Opening Day roster but now, even with just a two-week shutdown, the right-hander may not have enough time left in spring training to get fully ramped up before the start of the regular season. The 23-year-old spent most of last season at Double-A and posted a 1.89 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 54:19 K:BB over 38 innings.
