The Pirates have acquired left-hander Manny Bañuelos from the Yankees for cash considerations ahead of their series starting Tuesday.
Ben Cherington said on his 93.7 The Fan radio show Sunday that he expects the 31-year-old southpaw to join the team in the next day or two.
Bañuelos got his major-league career started with the Braves in 2015, but injuries and struggles kept him in the minors until a second stint with the White Sox in 2019. After pitching in the Chinese and Mexican Leagues in 2020 and 2021, he returned to the Yankees organization this offseason where he recorded a 2.35 ERA with 30 strikeouts for their Class AAA affiliate.
In four outings with the Yankees this year, Bañuelos allowed two earned runs over 8 1/3 innings, striking out eight and walking three. He also recorded a save.
Primarily a sinkerballer, Bañuelos averages about 94 mph with his two fastballs, while mixing in a slider, curve and changeup. He gets about 2,400 RPM of spin on both of his breaking balls.
Bañuelos was designated for assignment on June 28. The Pirates' two-game series with the Yankees starts Tuesday.
INJURY NEWS
The Pirates reinstated Zach Thompson (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday, optioning Saturday's starter Bryse Wilson to Class AAA Indianapolis to make room on the 26-man major-league roster.
Additionally, Duane Underwood Jr. was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list, and right-hander Yerry De Los Santos was placed on the COVID-19 IL.
Underwood was placed on the injured list on June 13 and had been making rehab assignments in Class AA Altoona this past week.