Former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Peter Strzelecki’s latest big-league stop ended Wednesday when the St. Louis Cardinals designated the right-hander for assignment after activating him from the 15-day injured list, via the MLB transaction log.
The move came as St. Louis cleared space for infielder JJ Wetherholt; Ramón Urías was also DFA’d.
For Brewers fans, the news lands with a familiar mix of recognition and distance. Strzelecki was never a household name in Milwaukee, but for a stretch in 2022 he was one of the more reliable arms in a crowded bullpen.
The Queens, N.Y., native and University of South Florida product debuted with the Brewers on June 2, 2022. That season he threw 35 innings across 30 games with a 2.83 ERA, 40 strikeouts, and a 27 percent strikeout rate. He went 2-1 with a save and four holds, limiting hitters to a .220 average.
The stuff was straightforward—fastball, slider, occasional change—but the command and competitiveness were real. In a year when Milwaukee leaned heavily on late-inning depth, Strzelecki carved out a role.
The 2023 campaign was more mixed. He appeared in 36 games for the Brewers (35 2/3 innings), posted a 4.54 ERA, and collected 14 holds.
The strikeout rate stayed respectable and the walk rate improved, but the results slipped. Milwaukee traded him to Arizona at the deadline. He has not recaptured that 2022 form since.
Brief stops with the Diamondbacks and Cleveland Guardians produced only 13 more major-league innings before he spent most of the last two seasons bouncing through Triple-A and short big-league looks.
This year he signed minor-league deals with Milwaukee twice, was briefly added to the 26-man roster in May without pitching, opted out, and eventually landed with St. Louis in late July.
The Cardinals selected his contract and used him in eight games (14 innings). He allowed nine earned runs (5.79 ERA), walked six, and struck out only eight. A right forearm issue sent him to the IL in late August. When he came off the IL on Wednesday, St. Louis chose waivers instead of a roster spot.
Strzelecki is 31 (32 in October). His career line now sits at 85 games, 97 2/3 innings, and a 3.78 ERA. The best version of him remains the one who helped stabilize Milwaukee’s bullpen four years ago.
Whether another club claims him or he elects free agency, that 2022 stretch is still the clearest picture of what he can be when everything clicks.
For Brewers supporters, it’s a reminder of how thin the line is between a useful middle-reliever and another name cycling through the waiver wire.
Strzelecki gave Milwaukee a solid half-season when the club needed it. The rest of the journey has been harder.
