Chase Shugart is back with the Pirates after a month on the IL with knee inflammation, but the corresponding move was somewhat surprising. Dauri Moreta, who just worked his way back from Tommy John Surgery and has overall looked solid, was sent down to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Moreta was traded to Pittsburgh in the 2023 offseason from Cincinnati for former first-round shortstop Kevin Newman and was one of the more reliable relief options that year, going 5-2 with a 3.72 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts in 58 innings. In 31 rehab appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis this season, he had a 2.56 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts. He’s looked great thus far back with the Pirates, only giving up one hit and striking out six in his first four appearances.
Moreta, like the rest of the Pirates’ bullpen on Sunday, had a hiccup, giving up a two-run homer in 1 and ?
? innings pitched. It is fascinating that Moreta, who should hopefully be an integral part of the bullpen next year, gets sent down over Cam Sanders, who has shown his potential in his first call-up to the big leagues after a solid year thus far in AA Altoona and AAA Indianapolis, but is much more of a project. Sanders gave up five earned runs on Sunday in the 9th inning, making the lead insurmountable for the Pirates’ offense.
Shugart was traded from the Red Sox this winter and has been one of the few pleasant surprises for the Pirates in 2025. He’s 4-3 while posting a 3.69 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP in 39 innings.