Pirates activate Yohan Ramírez from paternity list

Ramírez had given up five runs in three innings since returning from the paternity list, but he came up big tonight in protecting a one-run lead. He did get a little lucky with the last pitch, though; Dustin Harris swung at a sweeper down and in and then had it go off his foot and to the backstop. If it didn’t hit him, he likely would have reached on a strikeout/wild pitch.

Congrats to Ramírez on his new job. He should return in the near future.

Ramirez racked up four strikeouts on the night. The Reds threatened against him in the opening inning as Elly De La Cruz walked and swiped second base, but Ramirez was able to strand him there. The 31-year-old hurler got seven swings and misses on 39 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 31 percent. For the season, he now boasts a 3.10 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and a 66/34 K/BB ratio over 58 innings.

It’s Soto’s second save in the last month, as he’s mostly been working in the eighth of late. Today, Mason Montgomery came into a tie game in the eighth and got four outs to send the game to extras. Soto then got the save chance after the Pirates scored twice in the top of the 10th. It’s possible that Soto will regain the closer’s role in Pittsburgh — he’s allowed just one run in 6 2/3 innings this month — but, for now, it should still be considered a committee, with Montgomery and others also in the mix. Yohan Ramírez might have a chance at a save in game two tonight.

Brandon Marsh homered with one out and Bryson Stott singled with two outs, at which point Soto was pulled. Yohan Ramírez took over and allowed the inherited runner to score before finishing the inning. That might have created a save chance for Mason Montgomery, but the Pirates scored three times in the top of the ninth to take it away. Montgomery then pitched a hitless ninth with a four-run lead. Soto has blown two saves and given up runs in two other appearances this month, so it looks like the closer’s role in Pittsburgh is open again. Montgomery, Dennis Santana and Ramirez could all factor into the mix, with Carmen Mlodzinski also possibly picking up some multi-inning saves.

Ramirez didn’t allow a hit and kept the zombie runner at second to pick up his first save of the season. He’s now the owner of a 2.04 ERA and has been Pittsburgh’s most consistent reliever, so more save chances are possible, but not guaranteed.

Santana walked Dansby Swanson with one out and Carson Kelly with two outs before Alex Bregman snuck a liner into center field for a game-tying hit. It’s the first run Santana has allowed in eight innings this season, and he’s still probably the favorite for saves in a Pirates closing situation that still might be something of a committee. Yohan Ramírez might be adding his name to the mix after working scoreless 10th and 11th innings for a win today.

No word on the exact financial terms. The deal presumably extinguishes any possibility that Ramirez will be non-tendered later this week. The 30-year-old righty posted a pedestrian 5.40 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 45/16 K/BB ratio across 33 1/3 innings over 24 appearances for the Pirates last season.

Ramirez missed two games while being out for the birth of his child. He returns to a 5.90 ERA in 29 innings this season.

Ramírez will be away from the club for the next handful of days on paternity leave. The 30-year-old righty holds a lackluster 5.90 ERA across 29 innings over 19 appearances since being called up back in mid-July.