The Pirates are deciding on the contract of right-hander Tanner Rainey, based on a membership announcement. Proper-hander Justin Lawrence was transferred to the 60-day injured checklist to make room for Rainey on the 40-man roster, whereas Rainey’s energetic roster spot will come on the expense of infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa. The veteran utility man is being positioned on the 10-day injured checklist resulting from a proper hamstring pressure, and the transfer is retroactive to Could 1.
Rainey, 32, signed with the Pirates on a minor league deal again in December after being non-tendered by the Nationals simply a few weeks prior. Initially drafted within the second spherical of the 2015 draft by the Reds, Rainey debuted with Cincinnati again in 2018 however was flipped to Washington earlier than the 2019 season and has spent the overwhelming majority of his profession within the nation’s capital. In elements of six seasons with the Nats, Rainey has usually been a serviceable center reliever with a 4.49 ERA (94 ERA+) and a 28.5% strikeout charge in his 182 1/3 innings of labor.
These numbers are first rate sufficient, and he even earned some run because the membership’s nearer whereas the group was rebuilding in 2022, as he picked up 12 saves, however Rainey’s hefty 14.1% stroll charge largely locked him out of the late innings with the membership. His efficiency in 2024, when he pitched to a 4.76 ERA (86 ERA+) with a 5.42 FIP and a 12.6% stroll charge towards a strikeout charge of simply 19.0%, was sufficient to persuade the Nationals to maneuver on from him relatively than pay him an arbitration-level wage. Even so, the Pirates have been sufficient in his strikeout-heavy profile to deliver him into the fold as a possible depth possibility. He’ll now get a brand new huge league alternative along with his third group amid a season the place the Pirates’ bullpen has largely been in flux.
In the meantime, Kiner-Falefa exits Pittsburgh’s positional combine after hitting .280/.333/.330 in 109 plate appearances throughout his first 30 video games of the 12 months. The veteran’s lack of energy signifies that line is general good for a wRC+ of 87, however he’s been getting on base at a stable clip, retaining his strikeouts beneath management, and enjoying stable protection because the membership’s common shortstop. The Pirates might want to determine issues out on the place with out Kiner-Falefa’s regular glove, and that could possibly be simpler stated than accomplished. It might be a shock if the Pirates opted to maneuver Oneil Cruz again onto the infield filth after he’s labored to enhance as their on a regular basis heart fielder, which might go away the membership to depend on Jared Triolo as its on a regular basis shortstop in the interim.
As for Lawrence, it was revealed earlier this week that Lawrence was headed for a second opinion on his elbow harm. The analysis from that second opinion has not but been revealed, however his switch to the 60-day IL appears to point that Pittsburgh brass predict a reasonably prolonged absence for his or her right-hander. It’s a irritating blow to the Pirates’ bullpen, as his 11 1/3 innings of labor with the membership have been nothing in need of improbable with a 0.79 ERA and a 2.53 FIP. Lawrence was one of many greatest nice surprises of the Pirates’ younger season to this point, and now they’ll have to hope that Rainey or one in all their different bullpen arms can equally shock and choose up the slack.
