Pirates Make Key Roster Moves Before Opening Day

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Pirates took significant steps toward solidifying their Opening Day roster on Saturday, making several pivotal roster changes that included promoting former No. 1 overall pick Hunter Stratton.

The team announced the selection of right-handed reliever Hunter Stratton to their major league roster, while designating outfielder Joshua Palacios for assignment. Additionally, the Pirates optioned catcher Henry Davis and infielders/outfielders Billy Cook and Nick Yorke to Triple-A Indianapolis, according to the team’s transactions page.

Sending Davis, who was the first overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, to the minor leagues indicates that Endy Rodriguez has emerged as the preferred backup catcher behind Joey Bart. Rodriguez missed the previous season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

Stratton, 28, made an impressive spring training debut on Saturday, logging two strikeouts in a clean eighth inning during a 4-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida. This marked Stratton’s first game since suffering a ruptured patella tendon in his left knee against the Cincinnati Reds on August 24, 2024.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound right-hander was 2-1 with a 3.58 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP last season, striking out 33 batters while walking just seven over 37.2 innings in 36 appearances. Over his two seasons with the Pirates, Stratton has pitched in 44 games.

Palacios, who hit 10 home runs and drove in 40 RBIs across 91 games in 2023, was vying for the fourth outfielder position but was hindered by a sore left knee, limiting him to just nine Grapefruit League games this spring. He batted .211 (4 for 19) with five strikeouts and no walks.

These roster adjustments also affect the competition at first base. Yorke, a 22-year-old who was a first-round selection by the Boston Red Sox, joined the Pirates in July and made his major league debut last September. He is ranked as the Pirates’ No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline and struggled this spring, hitting .206 (7 for 34) with two doubles and two RBIs over 14 games.

Cook, 26, also debuted for the Pirates in September after being acquired from the Baltimore Orioles last July. He posted a .160 batting average (4 for 25) while showing strong plate discipline with eight walks and nine strikeouts, resulting in a .364 on-base percentage. He registered one home run and one RBI in 15 games last season.

Kevin Gorman, a longtime reporter with TribLive, covers the Pirates and provides insights from his extensive experience in sports journalism.