TODAY: The Pirates announced this evening that Fleming has cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A, as relayed by Noah Hines of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
May 14: The Pirates have recalled right-hander Ryder Ryan and designated left-hander Josh Fleming in a corresponding move. Robert Murray of FanSided reported Fleming’s DFA prior to the official announcement.
It’s an unfortunate early birthday present for Fleming, who will turn 28 years old on Saturday. The southpaw signed a split deal with the Pirates in February and has been primarily working out of the club’s bullpen. He technically made one start but went just 2 1/3 innings as the first guy in a bullpen game on April 24.
The results have not been great for the lefty, who has a 5.68 earned run average in 19 innings over 17 appearances. His 15.1% strikeout rate is subpar but right in line with his career rate of 14.9%. He’s still getting ground balls at a good rate, with his 57.1% mark this year just barely below his 58.9% career clip.
The baseball gods have seemingly played a role, as Fleming has a .344 batting average on balls in play and 56.3% strand rate this year, both of which are on the unlucky side. But he also hasn’t done himself any favors with the free passes, as his 10.5% walk rate is above league average and well beyond the 7.1% rate he carried into this season.
Fleming is out of options, so the Bucs didn’t have much choice but to remove him from the 40-man entirely if he’s worn out his welcome on the active roster. They will now have a week to trade him or pass him through waivers. Fleming’s deal pays him $850K in the majors and $240K in the minors, per the Associated Press.
He has more than three years of service time and would have the right to reject an outright assignment if he were to clear waivers. However, with less than five years of service time, exercising that right would involve walking away from the remaining money on his deal. Per the recent collective bargaining agreement for minor league players that was signed last year, the minimum salary for a Triple-A player is just $35.8K.
That would be a moot point if another club wanted to acquire Fleming. His career numbers aren’t far off what he’s done this year, as he had a 4.88 ERA with the Rays from 2020 to 2023 before being non-tendered by that club and signing with the Pirates.
I hope the poor guy found out before we did.
the 6 man rotation idea has come to an end with Priester being optioned back to Indy today
The Bucs are 16-3 when they score 4 or more runs and 3-21 when they score 3 runs or less
And they have the worst record over the last 31 games in baseball
He’s pitched better then 2 to 3 guys in the pen this year
except for last night’s game when he almost blew the lead and the game
That said, going with a 6 man rotation, they were already down one reliever. Who’s going to replace Fleming on the roster?
I wonder if Tellez can pitch. He certainly can’t hit
I felt pretty bad for him last night. Hate to get let down with that many errors. He should have gotten out with a lot less damage. He’s not a big loss as he just had fringe average stuff but he made the best of it. Still, this seems to have Ortiz as the only multi inning guy.
Except for last night?
Fleming was one of the bozos responsible for those 6 two-out bases loaded walks on Saturday, that wiped out the 6-1 lead Skenes left with. Last night, he turned a 7-1 laugher into a one-run game. By all rights, Nicolas should’ve been the one optioned. He can’t throw strikes!
I’m old, last Saturday seems like years ago
Ryder Ryan is no better
He’s pitched OK this year but had two bad outings although the defense imploded behind him yesterday. He saved some arms the first two months of the season for the Pirates going multiple innings
Totally misused by Shelton. He has always been a reliable innings eater. Never was a good crunch time guy. His best success was when he followed an opener in Tampa. He doesn’t have the stuff to get himself out of his or someone else’s jam. Why Shelton left him in is beyond me. His best attribute is weak contact and DPs.
They had a big lead though and the defense crapped all over themselves. Not all on him.
My point was that he’s not a stuff guy. The ball will be put in play. I think that he should stick around. His era was around 3 only until recently.
Pirates could have signed Bauer before the season started. Too bad they blew their hot start, seems to be a yearly thing.
Rotation clearly isn’t the issue for them, not yet at least. Afraid luck will catch up to Falter and not sold on Priester as an mlb starter, and Jones/Skenes will be somewhat limited.
Priester doesn’t belong in the majors, has already given up 7 hits and 4 runs and we’re only in the 2nd inning
We’re going to strike out tonight again in double digits
Bauer offered to take a contract at league minimum with the Bucs, Cherington said no. So they really didn’t have a chance since they didn’t want him
And starting pitching isn’t the problem
Scoring runs is
This move should fix that offense right up.
Thus move should have been made before Contreras was DFA’d.
Tellez needs to go next!
I agree about Rowdy but outside of Joe, we don’t have another first baseman
Word on the street is that he is headed to the whitesox. Saw him eating tacos at a stand close to the park so I believe he is looking for a reasonable apartment to move into . You heard it here first baseball fans
Except that he was still in Pittsburgh this afternoon
Nice try
I indeed heard it here first, until the Angels got him instead
I would laugh at you but you’re probably accustomed to people laughing and I wouldn’t want to embarrass you
Ashcraft!! Jesus’s christ let him throw! These guys running show blowing it. Everyone in the show making 6 figures for making stupid judgments. I’ll do for 95,ooo and turn it around! Ben give me a call you need help!
I’ll do it for $94,000 and use punctuation.
everyone on the Pirates management corps needs help, where do you want to start?
How about putting Rowdy in the lineup for today’s game? Or Jack, who struck out 4 times in last night’s game?
In Skenes’ second career start, you’d think Shelton would give the rookie pitcher the best chance to win
Ok your in!
Should DFA the manager for sending him out for a second inning after he struggled through the first one. What game was he watching?
I heard this Pittsburgh manager isn’t quite the creme of the crop or the sharpest knife in the drawer yet they stick with him. Must be one of those “nice guy” managers and everyone’s best friend. Which isn’t bad, but you need acumen as well.
Only reason why SKELTON is still the manager, is that he flushes Nuttings toilet in the off season. Toilet flushers are hard to come by.
Who you got Fury or Usyk today?
Craven, either your references are over my head today or I’m too inebriated to understand them.
Brother it was a heavyweight title fight yesterday. Mad that I didn’t bet on Usyk by decision (I’m sure Ohtani regrets it too…. :))
I was a little late to this boat, but I’m caught up now! I pretty much only follow baseball and blackout everything else during baseball season. (But for some reason I picked up on the golfer getting arrested, yet not the fight.)
no mention of the lackluster performance by the offense, striking out 13 times, partially against a pitcher not known for strikeouts
THIRTEEN TIMES!
This stat is a testament of how awful the hitting coach’s inability to teach the basic fundamentals and mechanics of the game to the players
Swinging at pitches nowhere close to the plate is a reflection of how ineffective this coaching staff is
Cruz trying to make it to 3rd base from 2nd after a grounder to the shortstop is also a reflection of the discipline of these players
Discipline is one of the fundamental qualities of a good team
We aren’t a good team and if things don’t change soon, we’ll be looking at yet another fire sale at the trade deadline
Yep. DFA this guy but keep Chapman. Perfect sense. The guy is a bum but they spent $10M for his “services”
Chapman, like Rowdy, Taylor and even Oliveras to a certain extent are major disappointments.
Everyone praises Taylor’s speed playing center field yet he can’t resist swinging at every pitch thrown in his direction, regardless of the location
Rowdy hasn’t had a hit since May 5th and a home run since the beginning of April
Chapman has a serious issue with location of his pitches, has 3 losses and isn’t the feared pitcher he was in his prime
Oliveras doesn’t know how to hit the ball in the opposite direction, he pulls everything, and more often than not, grounds out as a result, He has power but isn’t the player Cherington thought when he was traded for
I imagine, using Shelton’s lineup today, Gonzalez will sit in favor of light hitting Williams, Rowdy for Joe, and Bart for Grandal
Will we score enough runs to win or will we strike out in double digits again and lose?
Not sure how Shelton uses Chapman in close games at this point. He’s seriously a train wreck and as you said, can’t find the strike zone.
You have Holderman to set up Bednar, who himself is trying to work out kinks. I’d even take Hernanzez as a better left handed option over Chapman
I don’t see how he uses him either but knowing Shelton, Chapman will continue to be the setup man because Derek will want him to work out his location issues
He’s already said that he would continue to use Rowdy against right handed pitchers so he can work out his problems
Shelton and his coaching staff are the worst in baseball
One gets the idea there’s a bottom line here:
Yes. We paid for Chapman. Tellez. Grandal. Taylor.
Let’s “give them opportunities” because if they somehow show something, they’re soooo valuable at trade deadline time.
Shelton is a puppet, I’m convinced. There likely is some understanding about line ups with the front office
Oliveras is yet another example of the failure of Cherington’s tenure as General Manager
He’s a platoon player who has no business being in the starting lineup on any given day
I get sick of hearing Kevin Young claim that the hitters are “ just missing “. Popping up on the infield isn’t “ just missing “.
Question is, will we be able to overcome a 4 run , despite it being only the 3rd inning?
My answer is no
With an off day tomorrow why is Shelton allowing Perez to continue to pitch? Down 5 runs going into the bottom of the 5th, having given up 3 homers, Perez gives up another homer
Shelton is really a horrible manager
When they cut ties with Rowdy, they should include Taylor and look for another 3rd baseman who can actually hit and a first baseman who can hit an occasional homer
We are losing to a 24 year old rookie who’s only making his second career start
How pathetic
I admit I’m watching less and less
I’m limiting myself to seeing Jones and Skenes are refraining from the idea that hey, contending is just a step away
You mention broadcast teams and it’s a reason I’ve tuned out. Again, they essentially tell me to not believe what I see
Their jobs are to continue the hype, nothing more. But then, this has always been the idea.
But seeing games on various outlets,it’s all become PR. No McCarvers or Kubeks, although I like Smoltz, just a good old boys club that give me insights into players’ golf games and plans for dinner
I love the game I grew up with, but not the arrogance of millionaire players or their broadcasting buddies
Alkka pinch hit for Cruz and struck out swinging which begs the question of why is he here and Bae at Indy? I am tired of hearing about how good his ( Williams) defense is when he can’t hit.
Oliveras struck out three times today
Imagine, the oldest player on the team had the best day at the plate including a home run
So, the question is again, why leave Perez in to pitch the 6th?
Answer, so he could give up another home run
I am – – close to never watching another Pirates game again until Shelton and Haines are fired
There’s no excuse for leaving Perez in the game with an off day tomorrow and the hitting of this team is downright awful
They should have DFAed Ortiz not Contraras
The man..I haven’t been able to follow today’s game. Are you saying that Akyho Williams pinch hit for O’Neil Cruz???
If so SKELTON needs sent far far away
yes, Alika Williams pinch hit for Cruz and struck out swinging on 3 pitches
Hard to fathom how awful this team’s offense is this year, especially considering the rebuilding was over and this was the year that they were supposed to be competitive
This is absolutely unbelievable. A walking match stick williams pinch hitting for Cruz. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m not going to follow the buccos, like you a fan since 1966, until this horrendous excuse of a manager is fired. He does nothing for the betterment of the pirates. He’s like small hands, who obstructs justice. Skelton obstructs the pirates progress
Williams came in as a defensive substitution in the bottom of the seventh, not a pinch hitter. Suwinski also came in for Reynolds. More like Pirates conceding the game with twi innings to go.
Regardless he struck out on 3 pitches in his only plate appearance
they conceded the game when Shelton decided to keep Perez in the game for the 6th inning when the score was 6-1 and he had already given up 4 homers
Perez then proceeded to give up homers #5 before he was finally pulled for Ortiz
Face it, they aren’t competitive and at the trade deadline, they will again be in rebuild mode, an annual tradition Pirates fans are becoming accustomed to
He was bad in Tampa and was another questionable pick up. If Tampa lets you go you either make to much money or are no good.
Wasn’t so much a defense of him but rather, there is so much deadwood on this team.
They should have designated Shelton for assignment
Cutch, who had 3 hits including a homer yesterday isn’t playing in this tonight’s game but Jack is and against a lefty and so is worthless Williams
Buccoprojectory certainly won’t be pleased
Jack shouldn’t be in the lineup against a lefty and Williams shouldn’t be on the major league roster
Shelton misused him. If a team would get a hold of him and just make him a one inning ground ball specialist he’ll have a nice career. Stop trying to force a square in a round hole. Let him do what he does well.
Shelton misuses every player on this team
Don’t think his replacement is much better.
Their pitchers are the reason to watch this team. It’s disturbing that their back end guys—Chapman and Bednar—are having problems. As stated above, spending $10M on Chapman was a ridiculous move and his pitching this year lets us know why he was available. Meanwhile, it just seems that batters have the book on Bednar. Yeah, he’s leaving fastballs dead red but he’s not blowing guys away like he used to either
They didn’t really need Fleming
Falter pitched extremely well today and deserved better. And that final play at the plate….why even have replay?
I agree about the last play of the game, MLB rules an runner is prohibited from knocking the ball out of the defender’s hand and both the umpire and replay personnel blew the call
On the other hand, striking out 12 times and only managing 4 hits, you’re unlikely to win
When Taylor swung at a pitch that was clearly out of the strike zone, it ruined the lone chance of the Bucs scoring a run
Shelter should have pinch hit for him and he should have done the same thing with Olivares
Cruz and Jack were both available
Oh, yes! I questioned this signing in the offseason but acknowledged for the $-amount, it’s not a terrible signing.
mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/pirates-to-sign-josh-fl…
Definitely doesn’t improve them this year not does it having him in the minors, as I said. If the Pirates want an analyst, focused on winning, I’m willing to work for them. Just call my agent.
Considering that you agreed with liberal steve that Skenes was an average pitcher, ( you have since recanted ), I highly doubt that they would have any interest
@TheMan 3
He’s still overrated and overhyped. And it was one game against the Cubs, which are ranked 18th of 30 teams offensively and strike out about 24% of at-bats. Let’s see in the coming months when he actually has to pitch against a top-10 offensive team like the LAD, PHI, ATL, etc.
You should have been a scout and went into business with liberal steve
He pitches against the Giants on Wednesday, I suppose according to your vast knowledge and experience, your criticism should be met with enthusiasm from the hierarchies in baseball
People like you make me laugh, know it alls when in reality you don’t know squat
Every pitcher has off days, even the greatest pitchers in history
I’m wondering if Old York thinks Strasburg or DeGrom were overhyped when they first appeared in MLB
Skenes’s trajectory is similar but unlike those two, received a lot more pre-draft attention thanks to his work in the marathon CWS.
I didn’t think Skenes’ first start was awe inspiring but to call it “terrible” was laughable. I suspect what we saw in his last start was more in line with who he is
Man 3…these guys who think skenes is overhyped and overrated, are nothing but armchair nutjobs. They have no idea of what they spout. They throw out useless statistics. Hey, that sounds like small hands and his cult.
Seriously, skenes is going to be the next superstar pitcher. Barring interference from Dick SKELTON, did I say dick???? Yea I did
Baseball America has the Pirates taking a pitcher in the upcoming draft.
Someone needs to tell Cherington that they need to take a first baseman if one is available
They can’t keep signing worthless cast offs and expect to be competitive year after year
Or outfielder. System-wide, they have no outfielder who’s tearing things up
But chances are they go for a middle infielder. Never have enough of those, it appears
First off, the Pirates have one good color commentator in Matt Capps.
Knowledgeable and pulls no punches
We put their broadcasters on blast a lot but Capps deserves the credit
They wasted Falter’s start today but again, this team can’t score runs.
Against anyone. I saw your comment about Pirates batters taking pitches come to life today. You know, Clemente was known to always take the first strike. Since none of these guys hit as well as Jose Pagan, let alone Clemente, you have to wonder about the thinking here. Just what would possess you to
*want* to be in an 0-2 or 1-2 hole?
Just some random thoughts:
– Alika made a play at SS today that Cruz would never make
-Losing a ball in the sun as Gonzales did happens. But not getting to a ball in the hole and trying a “knee slide” to get to it was ridiculous. Capps said as much
-The way Grandal and Bart are handling pitchers, I doubt Davis will ever get a whiff of that position here again
-If Taylor makes his throw to the right side of the mound, that final tag is academic and they’re still playing. To Bart’s credit, he got him anyway
I too enjoy Capps as a commentator, and still cannot stomach Joe Black. He’s the only one of all that doesn’t have a Pittsburgh connection whether as a former player or born and raised here
You’re right about taking pitches, but that’s what the coaching staff teaches them. Veterans like Cutch and Reynolds rarely take the first pitch and will swing if it’s in their wheelhouse
Taylor tends to swing at everything thrown in his direction
Shelton should have let Falter pitch to get the final out in the 8th then used Holderman to pitch the 9th. Why use your closer in a scoreless game when if you score in the top of the 10th, he’s probably not available? And if he is and they win, he wouldn’t be available in today’s game.
I can understand bringing in a reliever in that spot. Fresh arm. They’d seen Falter for 3 ABs each. Ok
I don’t think there’s any “righting” Chapman or Bednar at this point. Chapman is just incredibly shaky and it’s not like Bednar is doing anything wrong mechanically speaking. Other than developing his spin pitches to where they’re dropping off the table, he’s still hitting the gun at 97 or 98. Yeah, he has this tendency to try and simply blow away batters as pitches drift down Main Street and clearly, that’s not working anymore.
Have to note that Bae is continuing to knock the cover off the ball at Indy and now has 4 homers. And Davis had two homers as DH last night and has raised his average 70 points. Between these two guys and Lamb and Peguero, how long do you keep them down on the farm
There’s a downside to the farm news, too. Bubba walked 5 of the first 7 batters he faced the other day and was pulled, Solometo is struggling and both Termarr and Lonnie White are well below the Mendoza Line
I’m gonna keep pounding this drum: if the season continues where starting pitchers continue to excel and they maintain their anemic offensive ways, their only recourse will be to deal away their depth at middle infield and minor league pitchers for outfielders with power potential AND to open up the pocketbook to sign established outfielders/1st baseman with power
Would you consider sending Jack to Indy to bring up Bae?
Tellez should be DFA in favor of Lamb. Can’t be any worse
Alika needs a dose of Indy, despite his good defense, he can’t hit to save his life
Me? Of course. I just don’t think the Pirates will. If someone has tinkered with his swing to now not only be a strikeout/low average guy with power to now become the same guy with a loss of power, it’s criminal
Bae should be here
Lamb should be here
Davis should be told to relax. He’s a DH and RF
But the Pirates look at Tellez, Taylor and Chapman as trade chips for deadline time. They hope upon hope that each show something before then
I think Grandal is here for the long haul and believe he’s been charged with helping the young pitchers
Well, with Jack and Rowdy in today’s lineup, it should be interesting for the number of times they each strike out.
Cruz is back and batting 3rd, he also has a tendency of swinging at pitches nowhere close to the plate
I think Gonzalez should be in the #3 hole until Cruz learns how to take pitches or can hit the opposite way. He pulls too many pitches even if they are on the other side of the plate
Gonzales was yet another guy I had higher hopes for. Maybe he’ll still pan out, maybe he’s what Dream says he is. They could sure use him to find some success at this level
Cruz is about the only consistent threat in this lineup as I think Reynolds has settled into being that .250 type hitter
I gave the NL. Central props for being on the rise where young talent is concerned. I admittedly haven’t seen a lot of the Reds yet but it’s about what it was last season, isn’t it?
Maybe Pirates starting pitching will keep them above water all season
Having Falter progress like this sure helps
But please, again, no more Priester
Gonzalez should be battling third and Cruz moved down in the order due to his tendency towards swinging at pitches nowhere near the plate as he’s done twice today with runners in scoring position
Give Jack and Gonzalez credit for putting the runs on the scoreboard
Their starting pitchers right now are worth the price of admission. I know they can’t keep them in every single game, but Keller, Jones, Skenes, Falter and Perez (guess) have kept them in most games
Just please, no more Quinn Priester
No more Priester? I am starting to feel the same way about Bednar
I agree with you on Bednar. I just think something physically is wrong with him. Chapman is just a head case.
The young starting staff is going to be a joy watching.
Now for yesterday’s game. WHY DID DICK SKELTON NOT START CRUZ.
TIME FOR THIS IDIOT YO BE RUN OUT OF TOWN.
Cruz, prior to today’s game was 0 for his last 14 plate appearances and against a tough lefty yesterday he probably would have extended that hitless streak
But he’s extended it today and is now 0 for his last 17 plate appearances
Cruz’ problem in my opinion, he’s too anxious to get a hit and often swings at balls and not strikes
it’s time to cut ties with Tellez. He’s been given ample opportunities to perform at the plate and has failed miserably
Almost everyone who we discussed recently had a hand in today’s win. Suwinski, Gonzales, Chapman and Bednar.
It’s hilarious.
Should have been a sweep
While I am glad we got the win, there was numerous opportunities to score more runs and in fact during every inning if I’m not mistaken
And Bednar just can’t have a 3 up and 3 down inning: I am always sitting on the edge of my seat when he pitches
Kudos to Chapman, Gonzalez, Jack and Keller
In most instances, starting pitching will be the determining factor for the Pirates game in and game out. They’ll have that random game when the stars align and they beat up on someone but for the most part, this series was a microcosm for the season
The average fan wants them to contend and perhaps in this division, that’s possible as is. But it’s hard to believe pitching alone can keep them in a race into September
I’m glad Jack homered today. Fact is, he’s hitting .172. Tellez is at .181. Triolo, .212. Cutch, .216. Grandal, .211
It’s almost unbelievable.
In defense of Cutch, many pitchers called for a strike have not been, especially lower than the zone. But he’s managed to raise his average up over his past 10 games and still shows power. He would probably have more rbi if the hitters at the bottom of the order ( Triolo, Taylor and Williams) themselves got on base with a hit.
It’s time for Cherington to DFA Tellez, and while I understand your point about them wanting to trade him at the deadline, he doesn’t show enough at the plate to attract many if any potential suitors
He isn’t likely to improve at this point of the season. Three XBH after 48 games, it’s time to show him the door
I never expected Grandal to hit .250 but did expect Triolo to improve in his second season.
Suwinski is an overrated player. He has nice power potential but hasn’t shown much this year. And he’s striking out a lot again as he has in the past, yesterday’s game notwithstanding
Taylor, despite his good center field defense isn’t worth much offensively either
They probably have a good enough pitching staff to be competitive now that Skenes is up, but they will still need to score more runs and with this current lineup, scoring runs will always be a problem
I’m sure they’ve taken stock of what they have in front of them. Their starting pitching is stellar. Their middle and back relief is good although their closer is now iffy. Their defense is decent enough although Cruz is not a defensive shortstop
Their huge problem is hitting.
At some point—and if they are in the hunt for a playoff spot—there has to come a point where there’s no justification for keeping Bae and Lamb on the farm. And again, to be truthful, if Davis continues to hit at Indy, put him in RF and tell him that it’s his spot.
Keeping Tellez and Taylor becomes a luxury they can’t afford. To me, Triolo is here over Peguero strictly because of his glove work at 3rd
There is other scrap here. Olivares. Suwinski. I don’t even think the latter can be called “overrated” anymore.
I *do* believe that trying to trade the guys they signed—save for Grandal—is the idea but you’re right. That’s months away.
It’s my hope that between now and the off season, they identify which of their prospects in the middle infield and pitcher can be traded for guys who can hit. And it’s my hope they’ll open the checkbook for a couple power hitters…legit players
If Davis ends up being the starting right fielder, his hitting should make up for his defense though he does have a strong arm when he can plant his feet on the ground.
Taylor, Rowdy and maybe even Williams should be packed together to obtain a better first baseman than we already have and I’m not sold on Connor Joe.
On the Fan this morning, they were talking about how other teams, like the White Sox are currently shopping their first baseman who won’t be a free agent until 2027
I think the Pirates time is now, not in 25 or 26, when the core of their long term players are a year or two older and more prone to injury
They certainly have the pitching pieces, it’s time to fill in the offensive voids
I don’t think there’s a market for any of those guys. That’s the problem. To me, there are just the two avenues that I addressed before
One is more for the bigger picture. Prospects for prospects
The other is via signing guys, and that can’t be done until the off season
It’s May. And unless someone really Chapman enhancing their chances, I don’t know who else brings back a big stick.
The best option they have at this point is rather simple:
Bring up Bae, Lamb and Davis
Drop Tellez and Taylor
Send Williams down
But the front office admitting their signings were a giant mistake is doubtful
There doesn’t have to be a market for Tellez and Taylor, both can be DFA.
I read that Nutting isn’t very pleased that this is year #4 of the Cherington regime and this team isn’t competitive.
So I expect changes over the next month or so
Mackey from the Post Gazette said Bae is being called up from Indy and Rowdy will be released before the game tonight
Cutch is 6 for his last 19 with 3 homers, 4ks and 4 walks and for an average of .315 which is better than any other player on the team in that span