Dauri

Moreta

The Pirates’ only non-tenders were the four players they designated for assignment on Tuesday. Moreta spent considerable time in the minors after returning from Tommy John surgery last season, but he had a 3.24 ERA in 16 2/3 innings while in the majors. With his career 29% strikeout rate, there will be a lot of teams interested in him on a minor league deal.

Holderman, Canario, Moreta and Simon have been jettisoned from Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster to make room for an influx of prospects that the organization needed to shield from next month’s Rule 5 Draft. No real surprises here.

Even though he had a 3.00 ERA in 13 appearances since rejoining the Pirates in late August, Moreta will apparently finish up in the minors because of the desire to add a fresh arm. Moreta had a nice 2023 (3.72 ERA, 76/24 K/BB in 68 IP) before missing 2024 and the first two months of this season following Tommy John surgery. He’ll be arbitration eligible for the first time this winter, and while he’s still not going to make much more than the minimum, it’s unclear whether the Pirates will retain him. Getting sent down with four days left in the season doesn’t bode well.

In his first stint back from Tommy John, Moreta allowed two runs over 4 2/3 innings for the Pirates earlier this month. He should have a chance to finish out the season in the Pirates pen.

Moreta has been good for Pittsburgh, throwing 3 1/3 shutout innings while allowing just one hit and one walk and striking out six. Chase Shugart is coming off the injured list today, and the Pirates needed a spot in the bullpen for him, but Moreta should get another chance late this summer.

Moreta receives the call to join Pittsburgh’s relief mix after spending the first four months in the minors working his way back from last year’s Tommy John surgery. He’ll likely operate in low-leverage spots for the Pirates over the final two months.

Moreta, who is coming back from Tommy John, had a 3.07 ERA in 14 2/3 innings for Indianapolis on his rehab assignment, but he walked 12 batters. His velocity is also still down a tad. He’ll probably be back in the Pirates pen before long, but the team wasn’t ready to carry him just yet.

Moreta struck out the side and issued one walk, needing 24 pitches (12 strikes) to spin a shutout frame. The 29-year-old righty is in the closing stages of his rehabilitation process from last year’s Tommy John surgery and figures to be an option for the Pirates at some point in the coming weeks.

The right-hander is currently recovering from the Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery that he underwent last March. He hasn’t had any setbacks and is right where he should be in his progression. The Pirates are going to bring him along cautiously. Expect him to be ready to join the Pirates’ bullpen at some point before the All-Star break.

The 28-year-old hurler is still in the process of recovering from Tommy John surgery that he underwent last March. Cherington did note that he is right where he should be in his progression and looks good so far, he just won’t be facing hitters early on in spring camp. While it won’t be to start the season, Moreta should return and make an impact in the Pirates’ bullpen at some point in the first half of the season.