The Pirates made a handful of strikes to the roster forward of Thursday’s 5 p.m. ET free-agency deadline, together with deciding on the contract of considered one of their hardest-throwing relievers, right-hander Ryan Harbin.
Among the many flurry of strikes, right-hander Jack Little and outfielder Ji Hwan Bae have been claimed off waivers by the Tigers and Mets, respectively, whereas infielder Liover Peguero cleared waivers and have become a Minor League free agent.
Proper-handers Jared Jones and Dugan Darnell, catcher/first baseman Endy Rodríguez, outfielder Ronny Simon and infielder Enmanuel Valdez have been all reinstated from the 60-day injured record, whereas Darnell and Michael Darrell-Hicks have been designated for task.
The Pirates presently have 39 gamers on their roster.
Harbin, 24, rose from Excessive-A Greensboro to Triple-A Indianapolis this season, ending with a 4.69 ERA and 92 strikeouts over 63 1/3 innings, selecting up seven saves in 50 video games pitched. His 31.9 p.c strikeout price was the very best of all Pirates prospects this yr (min. 40 innings), although it got here with a 16 p.c stroll price. He mixes a high-90s fastball with a high-spin slider and a splitter that averaged about 35 inches of drop with Indianapolis.
Harbin was resulting from turn out to be a Minor League free agent, which is why the Pirates needed to choose his contract now or danger shedding him. The tender deadline is Nov. 21, which applies to prospects who’re eligible for the Rule 5 Draft, resembling outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez or catcher Omar Alfonzo.
Bae and Peguero have been as soon as thought of prime prospects within the Pirates’ system however didn’t hit Main League pitching and spent many of the season with Indianapolis. Whereas the Pirates are in want of assist in each the outfield and left aspect of the infield, it was exhausting to check both being a think about 2026, particularly since Peguero was out of Minor League choices.
Little and Darnell have been each waiver claims who didn’t seem with the Pirates. Darrell-Hicks pitched two innings with the Pirates on June 24. Darnell was claimed final week from the Rockies and instantly positioned on the 60-day injured record, however the IL doesn’t carry over to the offseason, therefore the opposite injured gamers being reinstated.
Free company opened at 5 p.m. Thursday.
