Headlines

  • Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.
  • Braves Designate Craig Kimbrel For Assignment
  • Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Braves Select Craig Kimbrel
  • Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox
  • White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Pirates Designate Anthony Banda For Assignment, Release Heath Hembree

By Steve Adams and Anthony Franco | June 27, 2022 at 3:32pm CDT

The Pirates announced a series of roster moves Monday, reinstating utilityman Josh VanMeter from the injured list, recalling righty Miguel Yajure from Triple-A Indianapolis, optioning outfielder Cal Mitchell to Triple-A and designating lefty Anthony Banda for assignment. Pittsburgh also released righty Heath Hembree after he cleared waivers, per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link) and assigned righty Jerad Eickhoff to Indianapolis after he cleared outright waivers.

Banda has been in Pittsburgh for a bit shy of a year, having been claimed off waivers from the Mets last August. He made 25 appearances down the stretch, tossing 26 1/3 frames of 3.42 ERA ball. That came with middle-of-the-road strikeout and walk numbers, but Banda was successful enough to hold his roster spot over the winter. He broke camp this season and went on to make 23 more appearances, but the 28-year-old didn’t have nearly as much success keeping runs off the board.

Through 19 2/3 innings, Banda owns a 6.41 ERA. He’s posted slightly below-average marks in both strikeout rate (22.4%) and swinging strike percentage (9.4%), although that’s come with career-best control. Banda has walked only around 5% of opponents, and he’s averaging a personal-high 95.3 MPH on his fastball. Opposing hitters have an unsustainably high .463 batting average on balls in play against him in spite of a general lack of hard contact.

Those better underlying traits could entice another club to roll the dice on Banda over the coming days. The Bucs will have a week to trade him or try to run him through waivers. He’s out of minor league option years, so any team that acquires him would have to keep him on the active roster or DFA him themselves.

Hembree heads to free agency after being designated for assignment himself last week (ironically to accommodate Eickhoff’s selection to the 40-man roster). That’s little surprise, as the veteran reliever is playing this season on a $2.125MM salary and is amidst a down year. He posted a 7.16 ERA with more walks than strikeouts in 20 appearances for the Bucs, but he’s only a season removed from punching out 34.2% of batters faced. That’ll at least generate some minor league interest now that Hembree’s back on the open market; a signing team would only owe him the prorated portion of the $700K minimum salary for any time he spends in the majors, with the Pirates on the hook for the rest of the money owed.

Eickhoff has the right to join Hembree in free agency, having been outrighted on multiple occasions in his career. He made just one MLB appearance, serving up ten runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Cubs. The veteran righty has otherwise spent the season in Indianapolis, tossing 48 1/3 frames of 4.84 ERA ball.

Share 0 Retweet 5 Send via email0

Pittsburgh Pirates Transactions Anthony Banda Cal Mitchell Heath Hembree Jerad Eickhoff Josh VanMeter Miguel Yajure

Mets Claim Kramer Robertson, Transfer Tylor Megill To 60-Day IL
Main
Cardinals Place Jack Flaherty, Harrison Bader On Injured List
View Comments (27)
Post a Comment

27 Comments

  1. bucsfan0004

    3 years ago

    As these utility placeholders make their way off the IL, i’d prefer to see them all DFA’d…. looking at you VanMeter, Marisnick, and even you Gamel.

    1
    Reply
    • ElGaupo77

      3 years ago

      Gamel dfaed? Nah he’d return something, he’ll be traded once he’s healthy.

      3
      Reply
    • mlb1225

      3 years ago

      Gamel won’t be DFA’d. He has some value as a trade piece. Much see them DFA Yoshi over him.

      4
      Reply
      • bucsfan0004

        3 years ago

        Forgot about Yoshi. Funny how i can recall more starters from the 2000 team (a bad team) than i can about the 2022 team.

        Reply
  2. ronnsnow

    3 years ago

    Im actually okay with Gamel on the team, but VanMeter, Marisnick, and Tsutsugo need to be gone.

    3
    Reply
    • panj341

      3 years ago

      Agree and why is Van Meter playing first base again, has already committed an error.

      Reply
      • Ghost of past pirates

        3 years ago

        Because Shelton is an idiot

        2
        Reply
  3. mlb1225

    3 years ago

    At least we’re not starting another Quad-A re-tread like Eickhoff again, or Bryse Wilson.

    Reply
    • Ham Fighter

      3 years ago

      Eickoff dude

      1
      Reply
  4. Mendoza Line 215

    3 years ago

    These are all good moves.
    Mitchell needs more time in AAA.He was only there for five weeks,and obviously is overmatched in the Majors.
    Van Meter is fine for now,but they will need his spot soon.
    Banda was one who has some ability but is too up and down to last as a MLer.
    I thought that they would bring up Fletcher to see if he is 40 man roster worthy,but Yajure has some promise and has been pitching better in Indianapolis.
    Marisnick will go as soon as he gets off the IL but they will keep Gamel as he is still one of their better hitters.They will get something at the trade deadline for him.

    4
    Reply
    • Robertowannabe

      3 years ago

      Yajure had been hurt and just getting back. Yes he does have promise. Fletcher has been up a couple of times this year already.

      Reply
    • alwaysgo4two

      3 years ago

      Mitchell had a nice start but once Madris came up and overshadowed him, we all knew that it was coming.

      3
      Reply
  5. mlb1225

    3 years ago

    I hope Banda passes through waivers. He has some promosing underlying numbers and wouldn’t mind keeping him in the system. See if he can turn things around.

    Reply
  6. LarsAnderson

    3 years ago

    The mug is round, the jar is round, that’s gold Jerry! I realize that’s Bania not Banda, but it’s pretty close and it was the first thing that popped into my mind when I read the title.

    1
    Reply
  7. panj341

    3 years ago

    I see no reason to let Eickhoff anywhere near a Pirate uniform nor an Indy one.

    3
    Reply
    • Robertowannabe

      3 years ago

      Between guys to the majors and the IL they could use the body in Indy temporarily.

      Reply
  8. 66TheNumberOfTheBest

    3 years ago

    Hearing you aren’t good enough to play for the Pirates has to be a tough day.

    Reply
  9. Monkey’s Uncle

    3 years ago

    Banda the run….

    Reply
  10. Gterm

    3 years ago

    Why is Ji Hwan Bae wasting away in the minors? Hitting 319 7 Homer’s 18 steals. But Van Meter and Park continue to get starts…what can possibly be the reason

    2
    Reply
  11. mister guy

    3 years ago

    2 former giants let go by the pirates is what I read

    Reply
  12. Rick Wilkins

    3 years ago

    Random baseball fact of the day. In the last 20 years, every team in baseball has had a least one player hit 40 or more HRs in a season, except 1. The Pirates last player to hit 40 HRs in a season was 49 years ago, when Willie Stargell hit 44 in 1973. Carry on.

    2
    Reply
    • panj341

      3 years ago

      Josh Bell was probably the closest with 37 , Pedro had 36. I think Brian Giles was more than 20 years ago.

      Reply
    • AHH-Rox

      3 years ago

      The pre-juiced Barry Bonds played 7 seasons in Pittsburgh and never hit more than 34.

      Reply
    • Mendoza Line 215

      3 years ago

      Giles had years of 39,38,37,and 35 the four years around the turn of the century.
      The Pirates could use him now.

      1
      Reply
      • panj341

        3 years ago

        Sadly they would trade him because his salary would be too high.

        Reply
  13. scottn59c

    3 years ago

    No Hay Banda

    Reply
  14. honalieh

    3 years ago

    Ji-hwan Bae.

    I see him as the starting 2B next year. A career batting average in the minors now over ,300. Class A batting champion. 2019 -..323. Has speed. Starting to show a little power. Now at .319 in AAA. In the running to win a 2nd minor league batting title. Also among the leaders in SB’s
    2019 A- = Batting Champion.
    2020 = No Season
    2021 = Skipped a level to AA. Hit .278, Started to show “some” power.
    2022 = AAA. In contention for another Batting Title. “Some” power. Significant speed.
    Does not yet have to be rostered, so I try to hold off until mid to late August or finish of AAA season, and retain his rookie status for 2023!!! There are draft incentives.

    Remember, he’s the same age as Nick Gonzalez and Henry Davis (both struggling in AA), and he’s raking in AAA.

    3
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.

    Braves Designate Craig Kimbrel For Assignment

    Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Braves Select Craig Kimbrel

    Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox

    White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel

    Sign Up For Trade Rumors Front Office Now And Lock In Savings!

    Pablo Lopez To Miss Multiple Months With Teres Major Strain

    MLB To Propose Automatic Ball-Strike Challenge System For 2026

    Giants Designate LaMonte Wade Jr., Sign Dominic Smith

    Reds Sign Wade Miley, Place Hunter Greene On Injured List

    Padres Interested In Jarren Duran

    Royals Promote Jac Caglianone

    Mariners Promote Cole Young, Activate Bryce Miller

    2025-26 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings: May Edition

    Evan Phillips To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    AJ Smith-Shawver Diagnosed With Torn UCL

    Reds Trade Alexis Díaz To Dodgers

    Rockies Sign Orlando Arcia

    Ronel Blanco To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Recent

    Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.

    Blue Jays Notes: Scherzer, Varsho, Francis

    Pirates Reportedly Receiving Interest In Isiah Kiner-Falefa

    Angels Sign Ben Gamel To Minor League Deal

    Blue Jays Recall Spencer Turnbull For Season Debut

    Orioles Notes: Westburg, Mullins, O’Neill

    Tigers Notes: Vierling, Olson, Urquidy, Boyd

    Twins Place Zebby Matthews On 15-Day IL, Reinstate Danny Coulombe

    Yankees Claim CJ Alexander

    Phillies Claim Ryan Cusick, Designate Kyle Tyler

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version