The Pirates announced this afternoon that they have claimed right-hander Edwin Uceta off waivers from the Tigers. Detroit had designated Uceta for assignment ahead of Opening Day alongside Rony Garcia, who was outrighted to Triple-A, in order to make room for Chasen Shreve and Trey Wingenter on the 40-man roster. In a corresponding move, right-hander JT Brubaker was transferred to the 60-day injured list. Uceta has been optioned to Triple-A.
Brubaker had previously been placed on the 15-day IL to open the season due to what the Pirates termed as “elbow discomfort”. No timetable was given for Brubaker’s return, but given his transfer to the 60-day IL, it’s safe to say he won’t return until at least June. Though Brubaker has been part of the Pirates rotation since the shortened 2020 season with an unimpressive career ERA of 4.99, there was reason for optimism headed into 2023, as his 2022 season featured solid peripherals that indicated he could be a quality starter going forward: despite a 4.69 ERA, he had a solid 3.92 FIP along with a 44% groundball rate, a 22.8% strikeout rate, and a 8.4% walk rate that all paint him as a roughly league average starter for the 2022 campaign. With Brubaker set to miss an extended period of time, Johan Oviedo, who the Pirates acquired from the Cardinals in last summer’s Jose Quintana deal, figures to have a more secure hold on a rotation spot.
As for Uceta, the 25 year-old right-hander has seen big league action in each of the past two seasons, but has struggled in a small sample both times. Between his time with the Dodgers in 2022 and the Diamondbacks in 2022, Uceta has posted a 6.27 ERA in 37 1/3 innings, though his 4.46 FIP indicates there may be some bad luck baked into those results. The Tigers claimed him on waivers this offseason before designating him for assignment after he posted a 4.91 ERA in camp, though he did strike out 29.2% of batters faced during his 11 innings of work this spring. Uceta has demonstrated the ability to work in either short relief or multi-inning long relief during his career and figures to serve as depth for the Pirates bullpen in Triple-A.
Disappointing to lose him. I wondered if Chris Fetter the pitching coach couldn’t turn him into the next Gregory Soto.
We’ll never know. He’s unfettered now.
Underrated comment.
I’m also disappointed but am also disappointed that this current team strikes out far too much.
With Bae’s raw speed he should be bunting more often.
Our pitching is getting slim.
Excellent move. Gotta have that pitching depth. Lots to like with Uceta. See what you can do with him.
Yeah. About what you expect from the Pirates. That 6.27 era will have him fitting in fine
if Nutting wasn’t so cheap he’d allow Ortiz to be promoted. It couldn’t be any worse than dumpster diving again
Nuttings smart. Get that additional year of Ortiz and hopefully extra non arb year. A+ move Nutting.
I get where you’re coming from in these types of comments, Dream. The idea is to control young players and then hope they come together and contend tomorrow
At some point, the average fan wonders if tomorrow is ever coming
It’s only been three games but has anything really changed since last season?
Crown Royal is like Corn Cognac…..
2 weeks is nothing. If not having a rookie for a dozen games is going to keep you out of playoffs you might as well wait till June or September. Most the time they can use some AAA time. Ortiz would need to be awfully special to win this weekend with that run support. Is his 2 starts instead of Hill worth losing an entire season? I don’t think so.
Era is what happened in the past. Pirates are only concerned about his future. Probably doesn’t amount to anything but if you pick up 5 or 10 of these types you will hit on one.
Personally I never complain about using an open 40-man spot in a 25 year old with a live arm, because why not.
It’s a misleading era as he often came in for mop up duty during blow outs.
Wow the Detroit TV announcers are annoying…too much personal chit.chat…absolutely no baseball talk…..I always listened to the radio and was amazed about the complaints…now I understand. It is really, really terrible.
Hire the Superfife…..
Embrace the change.
Giggly boys…..
Maybe I feel.that way because the Tigers are losing badly and they are so full of glee…..
Might as well, esssentially had an open spot
Well Red Shelton is back at it. Playing this year’s van meter maid, Connor joe. This guy is a joke. It’s said give him a year with decent players…..well ole Red needs canned immediately.
Shelton looks much improved with a not awful roster. Extension coming soon.
I didn’t know you were on here, Chris.
Was hoping the Pirates would claim him when he was DFA’d by the Dodgers. Fingers crossed.
We suck
We suck ass