Ryan

Harbin

Harbin was cut loose on Friday after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 24-year-old righty hasn’t pitched this season while recovering from a shoulder injury.

Harbin is currently on the 60-day IL with a lat injury and had a 4.69 ERA in 63 1/3 minor league innings last year. The Pirates needed room on the 40-man roster for Chris Devenski.

Brannigan suffered a broken nose and other injuries to his face after he was struck by a batted ball in a Grapefruit League contest against the Phillies in late February. Harbin is also shelved for the time being due to a teres major strain. This was a procedural move more than anything just to get them out of big league camp as they start to whittle the roster down.

The procedural move prevents Harbin from hitting minor league free agency and shields him from being scooped up in next month’s Rule 5 Draft. The 24-year-old righty compiled a 4.69 ERA and 92/46 K/BB ratio across 63 1/3 innings over 50 appearances last year across three minor-league levels. He should compete for a spot in the Pirates’ season-opening bullpen in spring training.