Recently DFA’d Pirates Southpaw Claimed Off Waivers By Twins

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ clubhouse has seen plenty of changes over the last week with a handful of notable additions and subtractions taking place on the team’s 40-man roster.

Following injuries to catchers Joey Bart and Endy Rodríguez, and a desire for more bulk-innings in the bullpen, left-handed reliever Joey Wentz was designated for assignment on June 7.

With left-handed relievers often in high demand around the league, Wentz wasn’t out of work very long. The Minnesota Twins claimed the four-year veteran off waivers on Wednesday. Wentz took the roster spot vacated by Twins’ starter Pablo López, who the team placed on the 60-day injured list with a right-shoulder strain.

Claimed by the Pirates off waivers from the Detroit Tigers last September, Wentz appeared in 19 games with the Pirates this season. He posted a record of 2-1 with a 4.15 ERA, 22 strikeouts, with a 1.385 WHIP in 26 innings of work.

Wentz is no stranger to the American League Central division, having pitched for the Tigers from 2022 to 2024 before joining Pittsburgh’s bullpen last fall. He’ll see plenty of action out of the Twins bullpen after the team traded right-hander Jorge Alcala to the Boston Red Sox on June 11.

The Pirates are currently in Chicago for a four-game series with the National League Central leading Cubs. The Cubs took game one of the series with a 3-2 victory on Thursday. The divisional rivals were back in action for matinee baseball with Paul Skenes (4-6) toeing the rubber at Wrigley Field this afternoon.