Pirates Add Four to Active Roster After Trade Deadline

Pirates Announce Four Roster Moves

In a Zoom conference with the media after the trading period expired, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said, “As we look towards that period of time in August, September, [we’re] really trying to set up guys towards going into 2026.” However, these latest roster moves largely represent the same old, same old and will do little to appease a Pirates fan base frustrated by the lack of major league talent obtained in the deadline deals.

Meet the New Bucs, Same as the Old Bucs

For example, Nicolas, a hard thrower who has experienced control troubles, has failed in previous major league opportunities dating back to 2023. Already with the Pirates on two occasions this season, he gave up 10 earned runs on 13 hits and nine walks in just 12 innings of work. At Indianapolis, he had a 3.79 ERA and five saves, but that comes with a 12.4 percent walk rate. In July, he was 0-2, giving up six runs on 11 hits and nine walks in 11 1/3 innings.

The versatile Triolo won a Gold Glove Award in the utility category last year, when he hit .216/.296/.315. This season, a .158/.253/.266 slash line earned him a trip to Indy. There, he hit .239/.397/.413. Even so, he’s the heir apparent to the third base job with the trade of Ke’Bryan Hayes. He’s in Friday’s lineup, hitting eighth.

It seems Harrington, the Pirates’ No. 3 prospect, will replace the departed Bailey Falter in the rotation. After opening the season with Pittsburgh for a brief stint, he was 7-8 with a 5.48 ERA in Indianapolis. He earned the call with a strong showing in July, when he was 3-0 with a 3.75 ERA while holding opponents to a .231 batting average and 1.170 WHIP.

Borucki will likely assume the role as the top lefty out of the bullpen with the trade of Caleb Ferguson. The Pirates hope that he regains the form that saw him register a 0.744 WHIP in 2023. Conspicuous in their absence among these roster moves are Bubba Chandler, the Pirates’ No. 2 prospect, and infielder Cam Devanney, a recent acquisition and a power-hitting infielder, both of whom fans are anxious to see.