The Pittsburgh Pirates have bolstered their bullpen by signing veteran left-handed pitcher Tim Mayza to a one-year contract worth $1.15 million, pending a physical. This move aims to strengthen the team’s left-handed pitching options.
Mayza, 33, is eager to rebound from a challenging 2024 season, during which he posted a 0-2 record with a 6.33 ERA over 42 2/3 innings while playing for both the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees. His season included a mid-year designation for assignment by the Blue Jays. In contrast, his 2023 performance was impressive, achieving a 1.52 ERA and recording 53 strikeouts across 53 1/3 innings.
Despite a dip in his average fastball velocity from 93.4 mph in 2023 to 92.5 mph in 2024, and a decrease in his strikeout rate from 24.7% to 14.4%, Mayza maintained a solid ground-ball rate of 46.4%. Notably, he continued to be effective against left-handed hitters, limiting them to a .244 batting average last season.
The Pirates have also re-signed left-hander Ryan Borucki to a minor league deal. Borucki, 31, aims to return to his 2023 form after forearm issues limited his 2024 season. In 2023, he posted a 2.45 ERA over 40 1/3 innings with a 0.744 WHIP.
These acquisitions address the Pirates’ need for reliable left-handed relievers, as their bullpen struggled against lefty batters in 2024, allowing a .267 batting average—the highest in the National League. The team has been active in enhancing their bullpen depth this offseason, including the signing of left-hander Caleb Ferguson to a one-year deal.
With these strategic additions, the Pirates aim to improve their bullpen’s performance and overall competitiveness in the upcoming season.
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