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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 Relief Pitcher Demoted Back to Minors

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Pirates on SI
By Dominic Campbell | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 1:21 PM ET

PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen arm heads back to the minor leagues after a short stint at the MLB level.

The Pirates announced that they optioned right-handed relief pitcher Cam Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis, as they activated right-handed relief pitcher Yohan Ramírez from the Major League Paternity Leave List ahead of the series finale vs. the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on Sept. 17.

Sanders joined the Pirates from Indianapolis on Sept. 14, ahead of the series finale vs. the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. He joined the same day that Ramírez went on the Paternity Leave List and heads back to the minor leagues after the three days allotted for the birth of Ramírez's daughter.

He made one appearance in this stint with the Pirates, pitching against the Cubs in the series opener at PNC Park on Sept. 15. He gave up a solo home run to center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong over 1.2 innings of work in the 4-0 defeat.

Sanders had his second stint with the Pirates this season, after they brought him up as one of the two additions to the MLB roster as a part of the September call-ups on Sept. 1, as MLB rosters expand from 26 players to 28 players.

He made no appearances for the Pirates during that second stint, not featuring in the series vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park, Sept. 2-4.

Sanders recently went back to Indianapolis on Sept. 5, as the Pirates activated right-handed relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas off the Major League Bereavement/Family Emergency List.

He made just one appearance at Triple-A before joined the Pirates for a third time in 2025, throwing a scoreless inning vs. the Iowa Cubs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, on Sept. 10.

Sanders spent the previous 18 days at Triple-A before his second stint, 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.

He joined the Pirates for the first time 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 Field 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 right-handers Isaac Mattson, Dauri Moreta, Carmen Mlodzinski, Kyle Nicolas, Ramírez, Dennis Santana, plus Sisk.

They also have starters/relievers in right-handers in Braxton Ashcraft, Mike Burrows, Bubba Chandler and Carmen Mlodzinski.

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

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