Pirates, Johan Oviedo’s Arbitration Case Comes To Resolution

The Pirates won their first arbitration hearing of 2025.

Pittsburgh received its desired outcome in a hearing against right-hander Johan Oviedo on Wednesday, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Oviedo will be paid the $850,000 figure submitted by the team for the upcoming season, rather than the $1.15 million figure he submitted.

Oviedo, 26, missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in November 2023. Pittsburgh had previously solidified the right-hander as a key member of the rotation, seeing him post a 4.15 ERA in 39 starts from 2022-23, totaling 208 1/3 innings — ranking second on the staff in starts and innings pitched to Mitch Keller in 2023.

The Pirates are set up for more success in the rotation now than they were before, however.

Paul Skenes’ breakthrough as one of the best pitchers in baseball has coincided with the emergence of other young starters, including Jared Jones and Bailey Falter. Keller is also still eating up innings, with prospects Mike Burrows, Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler and Thomas Harrington all knocking on the door within the next two seasons.

Oviedo’s return should come with a spot in the starting rotation, but he’ll have to continue earning it throughout 2025.

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