The Cubs signed Heller to a minor-league contract Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Heller, 33, made eight appearances with the Pirates in 2024, posting an 11.25 ERA and 15:6 K:BB over 12 frames. He ended the season on the injured list with a shoulder problem, but the Cubs must feel confident in the reliever's current health status.
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Pirates' Ben Heller: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Pirates outrighted Heller (shoulder) to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Heller ended the season on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder issue. He's off the 60-day IL but will not return to the 40-man roster. It's not clear how healthy his shoulder is now.
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Pirates' Ben Heller: Lands on IL with shoulder injury
Rotowire
The Pirates placed Heller on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.
Heller tossed 7.1 scoreless innings covering his first four appearances after being recalled Aug. 10 but had surrendered four runs over his last two outings, so it's possible the shoulder has been bothering him for a bit. It's not clear how long he might be sidelined.
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Pirates' Ben Heller: Added to roster
Rotowire
The Pirates selected Heller's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Heller has been torched for 12 runs (11 earned) over just two innings in two appearances with the Pirates this season. He's put up great numbers this season at Indianapolis, however, with a 3.55 ERA and 55:13 K:BB in 33 frames. He'll get another chance with Pittsburgh in a middle-relief role.
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Pirates' Ben Heller: Gets minors deal from Pirates
Rotowire
Heller signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Heller, 32, posted a 3.86 ERA and 16:11 K:BB over 18.2 innings in 2023 with Atlanta. He'll provide Pittsburgh with some right-handed relief depth.
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Ben Heller: Elects free agency
Rotowire
Heller elected to become a free agent Thursday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Heller was removed from Atlanta's 40-man roster this week and has opted for free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. The reliever collected a 3.86 ERA and 16:11 K:BB over 18.2 innings in 2023.
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Braves' Ben Heller: Dispatched to Triple-A
Rotowire
Atlanta optioned Heller to Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.
Heller's latest stint with Atlanta lasted just three days, with the veteran right-hander making two relief appearances and tossing 2.1 scoreless frames. Atlanta recalled left-hander Dylan Dodd from Triple-A to make a spot start Saturday versus the Pirates, but Dodd returned to Gwinnett a day later.
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Braves' Ben Heller: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
Heller was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.
Heller was just sent down Tuesday but is back a day later to take Michael Soroka's (forearm) spot on the roster. He'll operate in middle relief.
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Braves' Ben Heller: Heads back to Triple-A
Rotowire
Heller was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.
Heller has posted a 4.41 ERA and 14:10 K:BB across 16.1 relief frames with Atlanta this season. He'll exit the 28-man active roster to make room for right-hander Michael Soroka, who was recalled from Gwinnett ahead of his scheduled start Tuesday versus the Cardinals.
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Braves' Ben Heller: Returns from Triple-A
Rotowire
Atlanta recalled Heller from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday.
He joined the 28-man active roster as a replacement for right-hander Darius Vines, who was demoted to Gwinnett in a corresponding move. In 14.1 innings out of the Atlanta bullpen this season, Heller has pitched to a 4.40 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB.
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Braves' Ben Heller: Acquired by ATL
Rotowire
Atlanta acquired Heller from the Rays on Tuesday in exchange for international bonus pool money and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Heller was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay this past Friday, having been stuck in a holding pattern at Triple-A Durham. The 31-year-old right-hander hasn't appeared in a game at the MLB level since 2020.
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Rays' Ben Heller: Contract selected from Durham
Rotowire
Tampa Bay selected Heller's contract from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.
Heller will get a chance to pitch in the majors for the first time since 2020 after the right-hander forged a 3.91 ERA with 29 strikeouts over 23 innings in his 16 appearances for Durham. He'll take the roster spot of Zack Burdi, who was designated for assignment in the corresponding transaction.
