Pirates add lefty Tim Mayza to bullpen
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The Pirates are giving their bullpen more much-needed lefty options, as the club signed veteran southpaw Tim Mayza to a one-year contract on Monday. The deal is expected to be worth $1.15 million, per sources, though the club did not confirm the terms. The Bucs also agreed to a Minor League deal with Ryan Borucki.
Infielder Alika Williams was designated for assignment to make room for Mayza on the 40-man roster.
Mayza, 33, is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2024 campaign during which he went 0-2 with a 6.33 ERA over 42 2/3 innings between the Blue Jays and Yankees, which included being designated for assignment midseason by the former club. He was terrific in 2023, posting a 1.52 ERA and 53 strikeouts over 53 1/3 innings, so a return to form would be a boon for a Pirates bullpen that is looking for consistency.
Some of MayzaˇŻs underlying metrics were down in 2024, though. His average fastball velocity dipped from 93.4 mph to 92.5 mph, and his strikeout rate dropped from 24.7% to 14.4%. He still was able to generate ground balls at a high rate of 46.4%, but that figure was also significantly less than in 2023 (59.2%).
The good news for Mayza is he was still very effective against left-handed hitters, who slashed .244/.298/.314 against him last season.
Borucki is also hoping to return to his 2023 form. Forearm issues plagued him for most of 2024, when he was sidelined from early April to September. He allowed 10 runs (nine earned) over 11 Major League innings in 2024 but was terrific in 2023, when he posted a 2.45 ERA over 40 1/3 frames with a 0.744 WHIP.
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Left-handed hitters were an issue for Pirates southpaw relievers last year. In 2024, lefty swings had a .267 batting average against their left-handed relievers and walked at a 12% clip. That was the worst batting average allowed against lefties in the National League and the second-highest walk rate.
The Pirates signed Caleb Ferguson to a one-year deal earlier this offseason, though the veteran left-hander could be explored as a starting pitcher in Spring Training. The only other left-handed pitchers on the roster are starter Bailey Falter and Joey Wentz, who was claimed off waivers from the Tigers late in the season. Improving the bullpen in general was a priority for the Pirates, who have brought in a variety of new arms to their 40-man roster this offseason, including Elvis Alvarado, Brett de Geus, Chase Shugart and Peter Strzelecki.