Injuries & Moves: Pirates shuffle roster, claim Cabbage off waivers
This page will be updated throughout the offseason to track all of the Pirates' moves, along with the progress of any injured players.
LATEST NEWS
Nov. 4: Pirates reinstate four from injured list, part ways with four others
Right-handers Johan Oviedo, Hunter Stratton and Dauri Moreta, and catcher Endy Rodríguez have been reinstated from the 60-day injured list. Of the group, Stratton is the only one who played in 2024: The other three recovered from elbow surgeries.
Gone are Daulton Jefferies, Ben Heller and Isaac Mattson, all of whom cleared waivers. The club also declined an option on Marco Gonzales. Gonzales went 1-1 with a 4.54 ERA in seven starts with the Pirates and is expected to miss most of the 2025 after undergoing flexor surgery on his left elbow.
Nov. 4: Pirates claim outfielder Trey Cabbage off waivers
Cabbage, 27, hit .209 with a .590 OPS in 91 plate appearances with the Astros this season, though he did better in Triple-A, homering 13 times with 22 stolen bases in 66 games. He also boasted a very strong 94.8 mph average exit velocity at Triple-A, the second highest of any hitter with at least 50 batted balls at that level, according to Baseball Savant.
INJURY UPDATES
RHP Dauri Moreta (UCL surgery)
Expected return: Mid 2025
Moreta has started to play catch, throwing out to 60 feet, approximately six months after his Tommy John surgery. According to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, he is projected for a return to games in June 2025. (Last updated: Sept. 13)
RHP Braxton Ashcraft (recurrent right forearm injury; Pirates' No. 4 prospect, No. 85 overall)
Expected return: 2025
Ashcraft pitched one inning on Aug. 30 in his first start back from the injured list, but was placed on the injured list the following day. Ashcraft has excelled on the field, but has made three trips to the injured list since June 28, with right elbow inflammation causing him to miss a month and a half from mid-July to late August. (Last updated: Aug. 31)
RHP Hunter Stratton (ruptured left patella tendon)
Expected return: 2025
Stratton underwent surgery to repair his ruptured patella tendon on Aug. 26. The projected return to competition is seven to 10 months. Stratton suffered the injury chasing a loose ball and then sliding into the limestone behind home plate at PNC Park. (Last updated: Aug. 28)