PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates saw one of their recent players decide they would take their talents internationally for next season.
Right-handed relief pitcher Dauri Moreta signed with Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the top baseball league in Japan, for next season, which Hanshin announced via Twitter.
Moreta isn’t the only Pirates player that will play in Japan next season, as infielder Cam Devanney also signed with Hanshin, as the Pirates released him in November to go do that.
He turns 30 years old next season and if Moreta performs well with Hanshin, then he could find himself back on a MLB team in the near future.
Moreta’s Return to the Pirates in 2025
Moreta missed all of the 2024 season after suffering a ligament injury in his right elbow and undergoing Tommy John surgery.
He started his first rehab assignment in 2025 with Single-A Bradenton on April 29. He pitched in two games, starting one contest, and allowing one hit in two innings of work.
The Pirates then moved Moreta to Triple-A Indianapolis for another rehab assignment on May 6. He made 16 relief appearances, with four holds, two blown save opportunities, a 3.07 ERA over 14.2 innings 20 strikeouts to 12 walks, a .200 opposing batting average and a 1.50 WHIP, before they ended his rehab assignment on June 16.
He stayed in Triple-A during that time and had a 3-0 record in 31 relief appearances this season, with a 2.56 ERA over 31.2 innings pitched, 48 strikeouts to 19 walks, a .191 opposing batting average and a 1.26 WHIP.
Moreta first joined the Pirates after they recalled him from Indianapolis on August 2, marking his first time back at the MLB level since the end of the 2023 season.