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Aug 5, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Cam Sanders (64) delivers a pitch in his major league debut against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Pirates Bring Back Relief Pitcher

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI
By Dominic Campbell | Last updated Sep 2, 2025 6:59 AM ET

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates added a relief pitcher to their MLB roster, who just pitched for the team last month.

The Pirates recalled right-handed pitcher Cam Sanders from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sept. 1, according to his transactions log. All MLB teams get two extra spots on their roster on Sept. 1, expanding from 26 to 28 players, with Sanders taking one of those spots on the Pirates.

He most recently spent the past 18 days with Indianapolis, making five appearances, with a 4.76 ERA over 5.2 innings pitched, eight strikeouts to four walks, two home runs allowed and a .227 opposing batting average.

Sanders joined the Pirates on Aug. 5, as they selected his contract, optioning right-handed starting pitcher Johan Oviedo to Indianapolis, making room on the 26-man MLB roster. They also designated left-handed relief pitcher Génesis Cabrera for assignment, the day prior, which gave Sanders a spot on the 40-man roster.

He made his MLB debut that same day, throwing two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and posting two strikeouts against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park in the 8-1 defeat.

Sanders then threw a scoreless inning in back-to-back appearances vs. the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on Aug. 7 and Aug. 9, giving up one hit and striking out a batter.

He struggled massively in his third outing vs. the Reds in the series finale on Aug. 10. He gave up a three-run home run and then loaded the bases in the top of the ninth inning. Two more runs came across when fellow right-handed relief pitcher Isaac Mattson came in for him, as he allowed five earned runs in the 14-8 defeat.

Sanders made his last appearance with the Pirates in the series finale vs. the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Filed on Aug. 13.

He faced a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the seventh inning and forced left fielder Isaac Collins to fly out, but walked catcher Wilson Contreras and then gave up a single to designated hitter Christian Yelich, which brought home three runs for the Brewers in the 12-5 defeat, securing a series sweep defeat for the Pirates.

The Pirates optioned Sanders to Indianapolis on Aug. 14, with left-handed relief pitcher Evan Sisk taking his place.

Sanders finished his first stint with the Pirates with five earned runs allowed over five innings pitched and five appearances for a 9.00 ERA, with four strikeouts to four walks.

He signed with the Pirates in the offseason and started out with Double-A Altoona, where he had a 2-0 record in 18 appearances, a 1.90 ERA over 23.2 innings pitched, nine saves in 10 opportunities, 26 strikeouts to 13 walks, a .154 opposing batting average and a 1.06 WHIP.

The Pirates then assigned Sanders to Indianapolis on June 10, where he had a 2-1 record over 15 outings, six holds, two saves in two opportunities, a 1.93 ERA over 18.2 innings pitched, 25 strikeouts to seven walks, a .145 opposing batting average and a 0.86 WHIP.

Pittsburgh now has a bullpen consisting of Bubba Chandler, Colin Holderman, Isaac Mattson, Dauri Moreta, Carmen Mlodzinski, Yohan Ramírez and Dennis Santana, plus Sanders and Sisk.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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