The Pirates announced a series of roster moves prior to tonight’s contest. Right-handed pitcher Yohan Ramirez was acquired from the Guardians for cash considerations and optioned to Triple-A. Infielder Kevin Newman was reinstated from the 60-day injured list. That adds two players to the 40-man roster, which had been at 39. To open up one extra spot, left-hander Aaron Fletcher was designated for assignment. Furthermore, outfielder Bligh Madris was optioned to create room on the active roster for Newman, while right-hander Bryse Wilson was returned to Triple-A after serving as the 27th man during yesterday’s doubleheader. Catcher Tyler Heineman was also transferred from the paternity list to the family medical emergency list.
Ramirez, 27, was designated for assignment by the Guardians earlier this week. He has 58 2/3 innings of MLB experience since the start of the 2020 season, mostly with the Mariners. He fared well enough in 2020 and 2021, putting up a 3.35 ERA with a 29.3% strikeout rate, though that also came with subpar walk and ground ball rates of 15.4% and 25.7%, respectively. A tiny .182 BABIP was likely helping keep his ERA down, though his good luck ran out this year. He ran up a 7.56 ERA in 8 1/3 innings before the Mariners designated him for assignment and then sent him to Cleveland for cash.
The Guardians gave him just a single appearance at the big league level but 10 1/3 innings in Triple-A. His 4.35 ERA with Columbus isn’t awful, but that’s come despite an alarming 22.7% walk rate. The 27-year-old still has options and intriguing strikeout numbers, however, making him a fairly sensible add for a rebuilding Pirates club. They can continue giving him looks in the minors for the rest of this year as well as next year, as long as he continues to hold onto a 40-man roster spot.
As for Fletcher, 26, he’s had some very brief stints at the big league level with the Mariners and Pirates, going from Seattle to Pittsburgh on a waiver claim back in March. Combined, he has 19 2/3 innings of MLB experience with an unfortunate 9.15 ERA in that small sample. This year, his mark is 6.94, significantly better but still not great, though that’s an even smaller sample size of just 11 2/3 frames. He’s fared much better in the minors, throwing 18 2/3 innings at Triple-A this year with a 1.45 ERA. He’s typically been a ground ball pitcher, never racking up huge strikeout numbers at Triple-A or the majors. This year’s no exception, as he has a 55.2% grounder rate and an 11% strikeout rate for Indianapolis.
Left-handed relief is always in demand somewhere, making it likely Fletcher finds some interest from other clubs. He also has another option year remaining after this one, meaning an acquiring club could potentially keep him stashed in the minors as depth for another year and a half. The Bucs will have one week to trade him, pass him through waivers or release him.
I hope that it a nothing too serious with Heineman’s baby or wife. Prayers for all of them.
Yes I thought the same thing.
The next roster move hopefully includes DFA Van Meter
Man-This will not happen as Shelton needs him to complement Bednar in closing alternate games.
I always liked Yohan and was disappointed when the M’s cut bait on him (not surprised though cuz our pen is -stacked-). I thought he had a deceptive breaking pitch , I think a cutter. Got some big K’s for us last Aug and Sept. Still has upside, good pickup for Pirates
Ramirez, another poke & hope for the Bucs
I used to live in Pittsburgh, this is just sad
Madris must be hitting too well to stay in the majors.
Madris will return to the parent club, after Gamel is traded.
This merry-go-round ride of relievers will never stop.
I think I would have liked to have seen the Pirates claim Angel Rondon.
Where is Brennan?
It seems to me that there is too much turnover on these waiver claims.Either the pitcher is decent enough to hold a spot or not.Fletcher pitched so well in AAA after he was sent down that I thought that he deserved another chance.It seems to me that this constant up and back for players can only serve to erode their already thin confidence in being a waiver claim.Keep them until they can prove that they are no longer an MLB player.The Pirate always seem to think that the next guy on the waiver list will be the one.The merry go round never stops.
Madris should be brought up soon…and use him correctly. Leave him batting 6th or 7th, sit him against tough lefties..: and leave him alone
I wish, especially Vanmeter….but I figured him and Gamel were added back in hopes they can get something back in trades.
They won’t get a used bag of baseballs for Van Meter.He should have been dfa’ed a month ago.
Patience my friend.
If he was only going to play 3 times per week or less sending him down was the right move. He needs see regular playing time.
He will be back in 3 weeks or so. If/when they trade Gamel.
Coach- After the trading deadline Shelton needs to pick his A team and two principle batting orders and stick with them and give his players consistency for the last two months.
The tribe would sell all of their players for cash so rachel phelps can move the team to miami…oh wait NM it’s just because they have no one worth trading for outside of Jose. Great way to be with a “small market” team. Clowns