CINCINNATI -- The Pirates claimed right-handed pitcher Edwin Uceta off waivers from the Tigers Sunday, giving them another option while they sort out the pitching injuries.
Uceta, 25, recorded a 5.82 ERA over 17 major-league innings with the Diamondbacks last year, with a 4.86 ERA over 50 innings with their Class AAA affiliate. A former starter, he has been used primarily as a reliever the past two seasons.
Uceta was regarded as one of the Dodgers' top 30 prospects each year from 2019-2021, ranking as highly as No. 17 in 2020. In 24 career major-league games, he is 0-3 with a 6.27 ERA, 9.2 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9.
Primarily a sinker baller, his fastball sits about 93 mph and averages over 2,300 RPM of spin. He also uses a changeup that gets decent spin and a changeup.
The Pirates optioned Uceta to Class AAA Indianapolis at the time of the announcement. The Tigers designated him for assignment on March 30 after claiming him off waivers from the Diamondbacks this winter.
To make room for Uceta, the Pirates transferred JT Brubaker to the 60-day injured list.
That's certainly not good news for the 2022 opening day starter, who was shut down late in spring with right elbow discomfort. The more they learn about the injury, the more clear it became that he will be out a matter of months.
"We knew it was going to be a longer length of time, but we're still kind of finding out information on it," Derek Shelton said after Sunday's 3-1 Pirates loss to the Reds at Great American Ball Park. "We should probably have more information on it next week."
Johan Oviedo currently has Brubaker's spot in the rotation. The Pirates also have several young pitchers they can turn to in Indianapolis when needed, including Luis Ortiz, Mike Burrows and Quinn Priester.
The Pirates' roster is currently full at 40 players.
