Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Yohan Ramirez flips the ball during the sixth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, July 7, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
This is one in a series breaking down players on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 40-man roster.
After splitting time between five different teams since late in the 2023 season, Yohan Ramírez returned to the Pirates last fall.
Ramírez made 48 appearances with Pittsburgh from 2022-23 and went 4-1 with a 3.67 ERA but was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox in September.
The right-hander made 38 appearances between four different teams during the 2024 season and struggled. He finished the year 0-5 with a 6.20 ERA between the New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ramírez signed with the Pirates as a minor-league free agent last October and began the season with Triple-A Indianapolis. He was released by the organization on the Fourth of July but re-signed two days later.
The 30-year-old was promoted to the big-league club later in the month and remained on the roster all the way through the rest of the regular season. Ramírez finished at 3-3 with a 5.40 ERA across 24 appearances.
While his ERA was inflated, his 3.90 FIP offers a more promising outlook towards his future. Ramírez finished the season with the highest strikeout totals of his career (45 in 33.1 innings).
Judging by the current construction of the Pirates’ bullpen, Ramírez could be in competition for a spot in spring training if he remains on the roster all offseason. With no minor-league options remaining, the Pirates would have to try and sneak him through waivers if they hope to keep him as depth.
The Pirates are still looking to add to their bullpen this winter even after adding left-handers Gregory Soto and Mason Montgomery. If they do continue to add, Ramírez, who avoided arbitration earlier this offseason by agreeing to am $825,000 deal, could get squeezed out.
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