Hunter Stratton happy to be back with Pirates, confident he can help the bullpen

WASHINGTON — The trade the Pirates made more than two weeks ago might finally bear fruit, as Hunter Stratton joined the Major League team for Saturday’s game at Nationals Park following a short stint with Triple-A Indianapolis.

To make room for Stratton on the active roster, the Pirates placed Evan Sisk on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation (retroactive to Wednesday, July 1).

The Pirates acquired Stratton for Joey Bart on June 18 but optioned him to the Minor Leagues to refine his pitch mix and get steady work. In four appearances totaling 5 1/3 innings, Stratton did not allow a run, walking two, striking out seven and producing a .111 batting average against and 0.75 WHIP.

“This feels like home,” Stratton said. “This is the team that I came up with. I’m just looking forward to getting back out there and helping them.”

This is Stratton’s second stint with the Pirates after he appeared in Major League games in Pittsburgh from 2023-25, going 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 47 games (52 1/3 innings).

Overall in the big leagues, Stratton has a 3.75 ERA in 69 2/3 innings.

Pittsburgh drafted Stratton in the 16th round out of Walters State Community College in Tennessee back in 2017. He made his MLB debut in 2023, appearing in eight games, and the right-hander hit his stride in 2024, when he pitched in 36 games and had a 3.58 ERA.

That August, however, Stratton ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee while chasing after a wild pitch in a game against the Reds. That resulted in season-ending surgery.

Stratton returned to the Major League roster the following year but was dealt to Atlanta for Titus Dumitru and cash considerations last July 1.

“A bit of a wild ride,” Stratton said. “The injury in ’24, bouncing back last year, then traded over to the Braves … really enjoyed my time over there. Traded back over here, I’m feeling like my old self. Good and ready to go.”

At his best, Stratton offers a right-handed relief option with mid-to-high 90s velocity who’s never been afraid to attack hitters. Stratton threw his cutter a lot during his first Pirates stint but said Saturday morning that he’s been primarily focused on a four-seam fastball-slider combination.

During his time in Indianapolis, Stratton also spent some time working on a two-seam fastball that should theoretically allow him to induce ground balls and weak contact.

“Something that goes arm-side,” Stratton said. “I think it's really going to help moving forward.”

Being back in the Pirates clubhouse felt like old hat for Stratton, who talked about the team’s closeness and being at or above .500 this late in the season — something that hasn’t happened since 2015. It’s like he never left, hence why Stratton said he was stoked to learn his trade destination was Pittsburgh.

“There are a lot of great guys over here,” Stratton said. “A lot of familiar faces and a lot of new faces I'm looking forward to getting to know. Just that familiarity, that's what I was stoked about, getting back over here with the guys. Feels like home.”

It will be interesting to see how the Pirates use Stratton. Sisk was having an excellent season and was typically the first lefty out of the bullpen, allowing Mason Montgomery and Gregory Soto to tackle late-game situations.

Throughout his career, Stratton has held right-handed hitters to a .193 average and .569 OPS compared to a .347 average and .925 OPS for lefties, which is pretty much the polar opposite of Sisk.

Either way, the Pirates have needed right-handed relief help, and Stratton has the track record of getting the job done. He’s also confident he’ll be able to contribute.

“Everybody has been great,” Stratton said. “They’ve welcomed me. Just happy to be back.

“I can go out there, have quick innings and fill up the zone. Just help in any way I can.”

Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.