The Pittsburgh Pirates have designated right-handed pitcher Max Kranick for assignment. The move was necessary to make room on the 40-man roster for Martín Pérez, as his one-year deal with Pittsburgh became official on Friday.
Kranick last appeared in the major leagues in 2022, when he amassed five-scoreless innings. The 26-year-old made his major league debut in 2021 and went 2-3 with a 6.28 ERA in nine starts totaling 38.2 innings pitched.
Kranick underwent Tommy John surgery in the middle of the 2022 season and finally worked his way back to the mound this past season. In nine starts between Class-A Bradenton and Triple-A Indianapolis in 2023, the right-hander combined to go 0-2 with a 4.35 ERA with 11 hits allowed, nine walks and 14 strikeouts in 20.2 innings pitched.
The Pirates originally selected Kranick in the 11th round of the 2016 draft out of Valley View High School in Archibald, Penn. His biggest moment came in his major league debut, when he tossed five-perfect innings agaisnt the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
The Pirates’ 40-man roster is at capacity.
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