Pirates Relief Pitcher Signs with Japanese Team

He made five appearances out of the bullpen with the Pirates in the nine days that he was with the team, finishing with a 1-0 record, a 3.86 ERA over 4.2 innings pitched, posting seven strikeouts to one walk, a .176 opposing batting average and a 0.86 WHIP.

The Pirates then optioned Moreta back to Triple-A on Aug. 11, making room for right-handed pitcher Chase Shugart, who they activated off the 15-day injured list.

Moreta joined the Pirates for his second stint this season on Aug. 26, amongst a number of roster moves, which included them designating left-handed Andrew Heaney for assignment.

He made 13 appearances for the Pirates, giving up four earned runs over 12.0 innings pitched for a 3.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts to six walks, before they sent him down to the minors on Sept. 25, recalling Shugart.

Moreta finished his 2025 season with a 1-1 record in 18 appearances, a 3.24 ERA over 16.2 innings pitched, 19 strikeouts to seven walks, a .267 opposing batting average and a 1.38 WHIP.

Pirates Move on From Moreta

The Pirates could've kept Moreta for 2026, especially with him entering just his first season of arbitration.

They instead non-tendered Moreta, along with fellow right-handed relief pitcher Colin Holderman and outfielders in Alexander Canario and Ronny Simon on Nov. 16.

Pittsburgh made these decisions, as they made room on the 40-man roster for players they protected from the Rule 5 Draft.

Those players included outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez, infielder Jack Brannigan, left-handed pitcher Tyler Samaniego, and right-handed pitchers Wilber Dotel, Antwone Kelly and Brandan Bidois.

Pirates Bullpen Outlook for 2026

The Pirates will have a few familiar faces in their bullpen heading into 2026, such as right-handed pitchers in Justin Lawrence, Isaac Mattson, Carmen Mlodzinski and Dennis Santana.

They also added two left-handed pitchers in Gregory Soto on a one-year, $7.75 million contract on Dec. 15 and landed Mason Montgomery in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec. 19.

Pittsburgh also has relievers that bounced between Triple-A and the major leagues, in right-handers in Kyle Nicolas, Yohan Ramírez, Cam Sanders and Shugart.

The Pirates 40-man roster contains many prospective players looking for a shot on the Opening Day roster, including Bidois and Ryan Harbin, who have had success in the minors.

Some other pitchers that might serve as middle relievers for the Pirates in 2026 include Thomas Harrington, who didn't have the season he wanted in 2025, plus Wilber Dotel and Antwone Kelly, prospects who likely need more experience before making the 26-man roster.