Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Should be good for spring training
Rotowire
Manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Rodriguez (elbow) is expected to be fully healthy for the start of spring training, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Rodriguez was sidelined for the entire 2024 campaign after undergoing surgery to repair the UCL and flexor tendon in his right elbow in December of 2023. He was able to progress in his recovery enough to go on a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona in September, and it appears the 24-year-old right-hander will be able to report for the start of spring training. Rodriguez played in 57 regular-season games for the Pirates in 20223 and finished with a slash line of .220/.284/.328 with three home runs and 13 RBI over 204 plate appearances.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Hunter Stratton: Back with Bucs
Rotowire
Stratton (knee) signed a minor-league deal with the Pirates on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Stratton was with the Pirates in 2024 and threw 37.2 innings out of the bullpen while maintaining a 3.58 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. His recovery from knee surgery could spill over into the regular season, but he's likely to contribute as a reliever for the big-league club at some point in 2025.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Isaac Mattson: Returns to Pittsburgh
Rotowire
Mattson signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Thursday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Mattson appeared in three games for the Pirates last season, during which he allowed three earned runs over 5.1 innings while striking out six batters and walking five. Most of his time was spent at Triple-A Indianapolis, where he turned in a 3.19 ERA over 62 frames. The 29-year-old will almost certainly return to Indy to begin the 2025 campaign, though a strong start could earn him another look in Pittsburgh's bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Bryan Reynolds: Expected to see time at first base
Rotowire
The Pirates plan to play Reynolds at first base, at least on a part-time basis, in 2025, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Reynolds has never played first base in pro ball, but he began working out there in September of this past season. The soon-to-be 30-year-old graded out as one of the worst outfield defenders in baseball in 2024, ranking in the first percentile in Outs Above Average. How much action Reynolds ultimately sees at first base could depend not only on how well he takes to the position but also how the Pirates address the position this offseason.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Peter Strzelecki: Shipped to Pittsburgh
Rotowire
The Guardians traded Strzelecki to the Pirates on Friday in exchange for cash.
The right-hander was designated for assignment Tuesday in order to make room for Franco Aleman on the Guardians' 40-man roster, but Strzelecki will now claim a spot on Pittsburgh's 40-man instead. The 30-year-old put up a 5.01 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 46.2 innings in the minors last season, and he will compete for a spot in the Pirates' bullpen during spring training.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Paul Skenes: Brings home NL ROY
Rotowire
Skenes was named the 2024 National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year on Monday.
This award comes as no surprise for Skenes, who earned 23 first-place votes and seven second-place votes in a landslide victory. The flamethrower posted an eye-poping 1.96 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 170 strikeouts over 23 starts (133.0 innings) during his rookie campaign. However, Skenes already has his sights on next season, per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I was super pleased with this year, going out there and competing. But there's more work to be done."
Pirates' Yerry Rodriguez: Minor-league deal with Pittsburgh
Rotowire
The Pirates signed Rodriguez to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Rodriguez, 27, appeared in 30 games at the major-league level from 2022-24 posting an 8.17 ERA and 33:19 K:BB over 36.1 innings. The righty reliever boasts a 28.3 percent strikeout rate during his time at the Triple-A level, so he has some bat-missing ability if he can just throw enough strikes.
Pirates' Isaac Mattson: Removed from 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Pirates outrighted Mattson to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Mattson is no longer on the 40-man roster but will stick around in the organization. He allowed three runs over 5.1 relief innings for the Pirates this season.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Daulton Jefferies: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Pirates outrighted Jefferies to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Jefferies has been outrighted previously, so he could elect free agency if he wants. The right-hander ended the season on the 60-day injured list with an elbow injury, but he had been making rehab starts so he should be healthy heading into the offseason.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Ben Heller: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Pirates outrighted Heller (shoulder) to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Heller ended the season on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder issue. He's off the 60-day IL but will not return to the 40-man roster. It's not clear how healthy his shoulder is now.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Trey Cabbage: Claimed by Pittsburgh
Rotowire
The Pirates claimed Cabbage off waivers from the Astros on Monday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Cabbage, 27, slashed just .209/.253/.337 with a 37.4 percent strikeout rate this season with the Astros. He's shown big power and some speed in the minors and the Pirates will hope they can get more out of the outfielder at the major-league level.
