The Pirates have placed reliever Yerry De Los Santos on outright waivers, reports Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (X link). That will drop Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster count to 36.
De los Santos, 26 in December, has spent his entire career with the Bucs. He signed with Pittsburgh out of the Dominican Republic in 2015. The right-hander reached the majors seven years later. He has tossed around 25 MLB innings in each of the past two campaigns, including 24 1/3 frames this past season. De Los Santos posted a solid 3.33 ERA but had mediocre strikeout and walk numbers. He punched out 17.3% of batters faced while walking 12.5%.
Over 25 innings with Triple-A Indianapolis this year, De Los Santos pitched to a 6.12 ERA with a 21.7% strikeout rate. He kept the ball on the ground at a strong 51.8% clip. If he goes unclaimed on waivers, he has the requisite minor league service time to become a free agent.
De Los Santos got wrecked by injuries in 2021 and 2022.
Cherington has been a busy man.
I am not sure that I would have done this one as there are others he could have dropped.
I think that Yerry deserved one more shot as he pitched OK last year with the Pirates but not in AAA.
It would be good if he is not picked up and he resigns a minor league contract with the Pirates.
On the other hand by having all four other waiver claims go to other teams it shows that the Pirates have some talent even at the lowest depth of the 40 man roster.
He’s got a great arm. Can’t keep it in the zone. Has a bright future with right organization.
The one pirate no one claimed
Alex Stumpf also reported that Miguel Andujar and Angel Perdomo are on outright assignment waivers with De Los Santos
Perdomo must not be able to pitch next year if that is true.
They only have one year of Andujar but should be able to get something for a 320 hitter.
But then again nothing would surprise me with the Pirates.
Can’t wait to get my De Los Santos NC Dinos jersey