Pirates Roster Moves: Andújar Gets Another Shot, Ramirez DFA’d

Like it or not, the Pittsburgh Pirates are giving one of their farm system talents another opportunity at the big leagues. Ahead of Friday’s series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals, the team announced a series of roster adjustments, including the selection of outfielder/first baseman Miguel Andújar to the 28-man roster.

A Second Chance for Andújar

Andújar had a brief stint with the Pirates earlier in the season, making an immediate impact with four hits, including two home runs in his first two games. However, he quickly cooled off, enduring a stretch of nine hitless games, which ultimately led to his demotion.

The Ramirez DFA Raises Eyebrows

Perhaps the most surprising move in this shuffle is the decision to designate Yohan Ramirez for assignment (DFA)—especially when other players on the 40-man roster have performed worse. Outside of a few rough outings in July, Ramirez posted a solid 1-0 record with a 3.67 ERA and racked up 31 strikeouts over 34.1 innings. His ability to generate movement on breaking pitches even caught the attention of analysts.

Given his numbers, it’s hard to imagine Ramirez going unclaimed on waivers. But if he somehow clears them, GM Ben Cherington will still have another bullpen option waiting in the wings.

Injury Updates: Mlodzinski and Kranick Returnhttps://www.stlouisfanstore.com/129-Cardinals_Willson_Contreras_Jersey

On a positive note, Carmen Mlodzinski and Max Kranick are coming off the injured list. Kranick’s return is particularly significant, as he’s been recovering from Tommy John surgery. His presence could provide a much-needed boost to the Pirates' pitching staff.

As the Pirates continue shuffling their roster, these moves raise plenty of questions, but also present new opportunities for players looking to make an impact.