The Pittsburgh Pirates were active this season before the Major League Baseball trade deadline. They made splashes for Major League Baseball-ready players to slot into their lineup like Bryan De La Cruz, as well as deals to add depth.
One of Pittsburgh’s moves for depth was the addition of left-handed pitcher Josh Walker from the New York Mets. Walker, 29, was drafted in 2017. He has risen through the minor leagues rapidly since 2020 but has struggled to stay in the majors with stints on the Mets in 2023 and 2024.
Walker began as a starting pitcher in the minors, but transitioned to a relief role in 2023. Shortly after the Pirates traded for Walker he suffered an undisclosed injury and was designated for assignment. Due to his injury, Walker could not be placed on outright waivers.
To retain Walker, Pittsburgh released the pitcher before re-signing Walker on a minor league deal according to MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf.
“Catching up: The Pirates signed LHP Joshua Walker to a MiLB contract on Aug. 15,” Stumpf reports. “They acquired him at the trade deadline but DFA’d him Aug. 9 (released Aug. 15) before he appeared in a MLB game. He’s been assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis and been placed on the 7-day injured list”
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Pittsburgh could use some bullpen depth after a tough stretch. Walker does not have much major league experience, but has been successful in Triple-A. The southpaw remains an interesting long term piece for the Pirates bullpen.
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