MLB Player News

Santana might see save chances for the Pirates following the demotion of David Bednar to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Santana was excellent for the Pirates last season after being claimed off waivers, posting a 2.44 ERA and 50:11 K:BB over 44.1 innings while notching one save. He hasn't allowed a hit or a run in his first two appearances in 2025, holding a 3:2 K:BB in 1.1 frames. Colin Holderman could also be in the saves mix for Pittsburgh, although he's struggled this season in yielding three runs on four hits and three walks over three innings.

Crews is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Toronto, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

It's a much-needed day off for Crews, who is 0-for-15 with 10 strikeouts in his first four games this season. Alex Call will start in right field and bat eighth Tuesday while Crews regroups.

Patrick is listed as the Brewers' probable pitcher for Sunday's game versus the Reds, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Patrick is set to make his first major-league start Tuesday against the Royals. It's possible the Brewers change their mind if things go particularly poorly Tuesday, but for now Patrick is lined up for another start this weekend. Patrick may be needed for additional starts after that, although Jose Quintana is likely to be ready to join the rotation next week.

Rodriguez will Saturday against the Reds, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez coughed up four runs on six hits and one walk over four innings Monday against the Royals in his first start in the majors since 2022. The Brewers are in a tough spot as they navigate multiple injuries in their rotation, so they will give Rodriguez at least one more opportunity.

Rodriguez is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays.

Rodriguez has garnered three starts at first base and one start at catcher in the early going, but he will begin Tuesday's tilt on the bench. Enmanuel Valdez will handle first base, and Joey Bart will do the catching for Pittsburgh.

McCutchen is not in the lineup for Tuesday's contest against the Rays.

McCutchen isn't dealing with any known injury, but he's now been absent from the Pirates' lineup for three of the last four games. Bryan Reynolds is getting a start in the designated hitter spot, while Jack Suwinski is covering right field.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Manaea is still having problems with his strained right oblique and will be shut down from throwing for two weeks after receiving a platelet-rich-plasma injection, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The left-hander suffered the injury early in spring training and was able to start a throwing program in mid-March, but he apparently hasn't been able to ramp up as expected over the past couple weeks. Manaea appeared to have a chance of making his 2025 debut before the end of April, but that now shouldn't be expected to happen until at least late May.

The Pirates designated Delay for assignment Tuesday.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Thomas Harrington, who is up to start Tuesday's game against the Rays. Delay is just a career .231/.295/.315 hitter over parts of three big-league seasons but could draw interest via waivers from a club in need of catching depth.

The Pirates selected Harrington's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of his scheduled start against the Rays on Tuesday.

The right-hander will make his MLB debut in Tampa Bay, with closer David Bednar being sent to Triple-A to free up space on the big-league roster. Harrington just missed out on being included in Pittsburgh's season-opening rotation, but he'll still end up making his first start of 2025 in the majors. The 23-year-old split most of 2024 between Double-A Altoona and Indianapolis, and he finished the year with a 2.61 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 115:19 K:BB across 117.1 innings. Harrington may need to deliver a strong debut in order to receive additional turns through the rotation.

The Pirates optioned Bednar to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Bednar really struggled last season and has been tagged for four runs (three earned) over three appearances while recording just three outs so far this season. The Pirates have elected to have him work out his issues in a less pressurized environment. Dennis Santana and Colin Holderman are the top candidates for saves in the Pirates' bullpen.