Two big league-experienced pitchers will look to find new homes.
The Pirates released two relievers at Triple-A Indianapolis who have had previous experience and some success in the major leagues. 30-year-old RHPs Peter Strzelecki and Yohan Ramirez were released on Friday. Ramirez exercised a release clause in his contract.
Strzelecki was among a short list of relievers who were in position to make the Opening Day roster after he was traded to Pittsburgh for cash considerations by the Cleveland Guardians in the winter. Strzelecki has a 3.44 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 77 career MLB appearances, with 86 strikeouts in 83.2 innings pitched, primarily with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2022 and 2023.
With no options left, the Pirates were forced to DFA Strzelecki when he didn’t fit onto the 26-man roster. Still, he cleared waivers and returned to the organization with the Indianapolis Indians. Unfortunately, his performance has been outright awful this year. In 16 appearances, he has a 9.90 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP.
As for Ramirez, he will once again bounce to a different organization after his second stint with the Pirates organization. After solid production in a total of 48 appearances between 2022 and 2023 in Pittsburgh, he has been with the White Sox, Mets, Orioles, Dodgers, and Red Sox in 2024 before coming back to Pittsburgh on a minor league deal this winter. Since leaving the Pirates, he has struggled at the major league level.
Ramirez has always been tough to hit and has shown some nasty movement on his pitches, but he has consistently struggled with control issues. He’ll certainly get an opportunity elsewhere, as his numbers have been solid for the Indians this year in 25 appearances. He has a 3.41 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP with 37 strikeouts, but eleven walks and nine hit-by-pitches.