Pirates Add Left-Handed Pitcher to Bullpen Mix

Pirates Add Joe La Sorsa to Bullpen Mix

La Sorsa, no relation to Tommy Lasorda, Tony La Russa, or Julius La Rosa, previously pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, and Cincinnati Reds. He was drafted by the Rays in the 18th round of the 2019 June Amateur Draft out of St. John’s University. His debut with the Rays went well. In two games with Tampa Bay in 2023, he gave up one run in 4 1/3 innings. However, in a move that seems almost as cruel as Arthur Godfrey’s public firing of La Rosa, La Sorsa was placed on waivers.

In 46 career major league games from 2023-25, La Sorsa is 1-1 with a 5.21 ERA, 5.39 FIP, and 1.368 WHIP. On the surface, there’s not much to recommend him. Opponents have slashed .273/.339/.449 against him. His 17.5 percent strikeout rate is below the major league average. On the other hand, he comes with a 6.1 percent walk rate and a 29.9 percent hard-hit rate, both of which are more than acceptable.

Most recently with the Reds in 2025, La Sorsa was beaten up, albeit in a small sample size. He gave up eight earned runs in 6 2/3 innings with Cincy. Most glaringly, he was touched up for four home runs during that time.

Minor League Record More Promising

La Sorsa’s minor league performance has been more impressive and is likely what intrigued the Pirates. In six minor league seasons across all levels, he’s 21-14 with a 2.78 ERA and 13 saves in 202 games, including 10 starts. His WHIP is a palatable 1.142, and he showed good control with a 6.8 percent walk rate. In 2024 and 2025, he posted ERAs of 2.25 and 2.59, respectively, in Triple-A. New pitching coach Bill Murphy will look to unlock that minor league success at the major league level.

Pittsburgh represents a good opportunity for La Sorsa. The only returning left-hander from last year’s bullpen is Evan Sisk, whom the Pirates acquired in the Bailey Falter trade last July. Once he joined the Pirates, Sisk’s performance was merely ho-hum. He surrendered six earned runs in 12 1/3 innings with Pittsburgh. There are undoubtedly more moves to come. But as matters stand now, La Sorsa stands to gain a meaningful role in the 2026 bullpen.