The Pirates made a pair of roster moves over the weekend that spoke to two very different realities: one was about protecting a pitcher they didn’t want to lose, and the other was about moving on from a couple of minor league veterans whose paths in the organization had run out.
Right-hander Noah Murdock had his contract selected Sunday and was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, a move tied to an upward mobility clause in his minor league deal. That kind of clause can force a club’s hand, and Pittsburgh had to add him to the 40-man roster or risk watching another team scoop him up.
To clear the spot, the Pirates designated infielder Davis Wendzel for assignment. Wendzel has since been released, according to MLB.com’s transaction log.
Murdock is still a work in progress, but the traits are hard to miss. Over 30 2/3 minor league innings this season, he has posted a 4.11 ERA with a 31.5% strikeout rate, a huge 63.9% ground-ball rate and a much better 7.3% walk rate.
The control has been the biggest question around him, including during a rough Major League run with the Athletics in 2025. If those command gains stick, he could be in the Pirates’ bullpen conversation before long.
For a club still looking for dependable relief help, this was more than a routine shuffle.
The Pirates also released right-handed pitcher Yunior Marte and outfielder Dominic Fletcher from their minor league contracts. Marte has already landed with the Rakuten Eagles of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, heading back overseas after a strong run with the Chunichi Dragons in 2025.
The 31-year-old signed with Pittsburgh on a minor league deal in early June after the Cincinnati Reds designated him for assignment, but things never clicked with Triple-A Indianapolis. He gave up five earned runs in five appearances. Marte has pitched in parts of four Major League seasons, though his best work has come in Japan, where he put up a 1.95 ERA with Chunichi last season.
Fletcher took a different route out. He used the July 1 opt-out in his minor league contract after the Pirates chose not to add him to the Major League roster. The former Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox outfielder homered in what ended up being his final at-bat with Indianapolis before his release.
Pittsburgh’s outfield had opened up earlier in the season because of injuries, but the rise of Esmerlyn Valdez and the steady production from Jake Mangum left Fletcher without a real lane back to the big leagues.
In Other News...
Pirates Just Got A Brutal Konnor Griffin Update At The Worst Time
Konnor Griffin had only just worked his way back into the Pirates lineup and was starting to look like a steady presence at shortstop again before another setback hit. The rookie had been giving Pittsburgh a welcome boost with his bat and overall production, which made the timing of this latest injury especially frustrating for a club trying to find any kind of rhythm in the middle of the season.
The Pirates now have to decide how aggressive to be with the 20-year-old, because there is at least some thought that he could try to play through it. More likely, though, is a cautious path that keeps him out long enough to heal properly and gives Pittsburgh a chance to get him back later in the year, if the rehab goes the way it needs to. [Read more 🡒]
Pirates Linked To A Deadline Arm They Desperately Need
The Pirates are being tied to a left-handed arm as the trade deadline approaches, and the fit is easy to understand. Pittsburgh is looking for pitching help, especially in the bullpen, where left-handed depth has been a need, and the front office appears more likely to chase relief help than spend its biggest chips on the starting rotation.
Washingtons place in the playoff race is what makes this one tricky. The Nationals have reason to keep listening but no obvious reason to move a pitcher who has helped them this season, and Pittsburghs search for bullpen reinforcements could still lead them toward a closer or another late-inning option instead of a more versatile arm. [Read more 🡒]
Pirates Injury Picture Just Got More Urgent Before Second Half
The Pirates got a little relief on the injury front as the All-Star break approaches, with Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz both moving in the right direction and trending toward a return shortly after the pause. Cruz has been progressing well from left hand fractures, while Horwitz is also coming along from a left hamstring strain, giving Pittsburgh a chance to get two important pieces back as the second half gets underway.
Wilber Dotel is still working through his own recovery from a lat strain and is set for another minor-league rehab appearance as part of that process. The bigger concern, though, is Endy Rodrguez, who left a recent game with left side discomfort and remains under evaluation, adding another layer of uncertainty to a roster that could use a cleaner bill of health once the schedule flips. [Read more 🡒]