LATEST NEWS

May 11: Pirates select the contract of RHP Paul Skenes, designate RHP Roansy Contreras for assignment
Skenes, MLB's top pitching prospect, requires no introduction at this point. The most hyped young pitcher of his generation recorded a 0.99 ERA and 45 strikeouts over 27 1/3 innings with Triple-A Indianapolis. He made his debut in the Majors just 10 months and two days after being drafted first overall last July.

For Contreras, this closes the book on what was once a promising future for the right-hander. Once regarded as a top prospect, Contreras saw his velocity drop last year and spent most of the season in the Minors. He failed to earn a rotation spot this spring and was stashed in the bullpen, but he was used mostly in middle relief. He recorded a 4.41 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 16 1/3 innings this season.

May 11: Pirates place 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes on 10-day injured list, recall SS Alika Williams
Hayes is currently dealing with low back inflammation. He has slashed .240/.322/.318 with one home run this season, a step off the success he had during the second half of 2023.

Williams was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday as the corresponding move to add Nick Gonzales to the roster, but he is back to give the team another infielder. He hit .239 with a .619 OPS in 15 games with the Pirates this season.

May 10: Pirates acquire RHP Daulton Jefferies from Giants
Jefferies, 28, has recorded a 3.44 ERA in the Minors this season, but has allowed 13 runs (nine earned) over 4 2/3 Major League innings this year (17.36 ERA). Jefferies missed the entire 2023 season after having his second Tommy John surgery.

The right-hander has averaged 92.6 mph on his sinker in the Majors this year, and also has a changeup, curveball, slider and four-seamer. Jefferies will start his career with the Pirates in Triple-A Indianapolis.

In exchange, the Pirates sent Minor League outfielder Rodolfo Nolasco to the Giants, who was hitting .173 with the Pirates' High-A affiliate in Greensboro. Catcher Jason Delay was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster.

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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

3B Ke'Bryan Hayes (low back inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Hayes had not played in a game since May 7, and the Pirates decided to place him on the injured list on May 11 due to low back inflammation. Hayes hit .240/.322/.318 with one home run to begin his 2024 season. His timeline for a return is unclear. (Last updated: May 11)

LHP Marco Gonzales (left forearm strain)
Expected return: 2024
General manager Ben Cherington said on his 93.7 The Fan radio show on May 5 that he is optimistic Gonzales will pitch again this season. The team had him and Ryan Borucki get second opinions in California during the week of April 29, and after ordering additional tests on Gonzales, it was determined that a "conservative treatment with both guys, at this point, is the right path." (Last updated: May 5)

LHP Ryan Borucki (left triceps inflammation)
Expected return: At least a month
The initial left triceps inflammation symptoms Borucki experienced have subsided, and after consulting Dr. Steven Shin in Los Angeles, the working diagnosis is now left median nerve neuritis/inflammation. He will not throw for several weeks, potentially up to a month, and then need to rehab after, but the team remains optimistic he will throw again this year. (Last updated: May 1)

RHP Thomas Harrington (rotator cuff strain)
Expected return: TBD
Harrington, the Pirates' No. 6 prospect, is still at the Pirates' Florida Complex, but is throwing up to three innings as he builds up for the season, a positive sign that he is trending towards his season debut. (Last update: May 1)

60-DAY IL

C Jason Delay (right knee soreness)
Expected return: June
Delay caught Bailey Falter's bullpen on May 8, the first time he has done that since having knee surgery last month. There were no issues, and he's playing catch up to 120 feet and taking swings off a tee. There are discussions of transitioning his rehab to the Pirates' Florida complex, which could happen soon. Delay was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 10. (Last updated: May 10)

RHP Johan Oviedo (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Johan Oviedo is coming close to the six-month mark with his UCL rehab, which is when he may get final clearance to begin throwing. That clearance could come next week and would be another step towards getting him ready for next season. (Last updated: May 8)

RHP Dauri Moreta (UCL surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Moreta underwent UCL reconstruction surgery in March, confirming fears that he will not pitch in 2024. The team anticipates a full recovery in approximately 14-16 months, with the hope that it might be on the shorter side since he is a reliever. Moreta was expected to return to Florida to start the rehab process. (Last updated: March 21)

C Endy Rodríguez (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Rodríguez had his follow up with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Opening Day and is doing well. He's projected to begin a swing progression from the left side during the week of April 15, which should line him up for a formal hitting progression in early May (the former is a dry swing program, the latter would be hitting off a tee). (Last updated: April 9)

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