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Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherrington meets with reporters after announcing the firing of Pirates manager Derek Shelton during a baseball news conference in Pittsburgh, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen struggles reached a new low after blowing an 8-3 lead and a four-run lead in the eighth inning in a loss to the Houston Astros on Wednesday night.
It was the Pirates’ 13th blown lead of the season, and Pittsburgh now ranks 19th in baseball with a 4.32 ERA.
With a 33-29 record, the Pirates are tied for second in a crowded National League Central and are in possession of the third wild card spot. It looks like the Pirates will be buyers at the trade deadline, and bullpen upgrades will be an obvious point emphasis. But they might be waiting a little while to make any additions to the ‘pen.
“Right now, there is very little relief help available,” ESPN’s Buster Olney posted on Twitter/X. “Clubs looking for bullpen additions say even the worst teams won’t talk bullpen swaps… yet.”
Left-handers Gregory Soto and Mason Montgomery have been two of the team’s best relief pitchers this year, but the two combined to allow all six runs while recording just two outs in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s loss in Houston.
Right-hander Dennis Santana, who had been one of the best relievers in baseball since joining the Pirates, has regressed mightily this year. Yohan Ramírez has had major control issues and also allowed two runs in relief of Paul Skenes on Wednesday. Brandan Bidois has been OK through the first nine appearances of his career, but has already allowed four home runs.
Left-hander Evan Sisk has been good this year but hasn’t been tested much in high-leverage situations. Rookie right-hander Wilber Dotel has excelled in his first stint in the big leagues, but the Pirates will need way more than two or three reliable arms in their bullpen.
Two players the Pirates were counting on this season to big big parts of the bullpen aren’t currently on the active roster. Justin Lawrence was designated for assignment and recently traded to the Minnesota Twins, and Isaac Mattson was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis last month.
For now, it looks like the Pirates are going to rely on internal improvement to try and fix their issues in the bullpen. But when relief help becomes more readily, general manager Ben Cherington is going to have to pull the trigger on somethings, and do so quickly, before the bullpen continues to cost this team games.
The post Report: ‘Very Little Relief Help Available’ on Trade Market appeared first on Pittsburgh Baseball Now.
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