Pirates Sign Tanner Rainey and Hunter Stratton to Minor League Deals

The Pittsburgh Pirates have bolstered their pitching depth by signing right-handers Tanner Rainey and Hunter Stratton to minor league contracts. The news was respectively reported by Aram Leighton of Just Baseball and Stratton’s MLB.com profile page. Rainey’s deal includes an invitation to the Pirates’ big league spring training camp, and it is likely that Stratton’s contract also comes with a similar invite, although his participation may be limited due to recent knee surgery.


Tanner Rainey Joins Pirates

Tanner Rainey heads to Pittsburgh after a tumultuous six-year stint with the Washington Nationals, which was highlighted by a World Series victory in his first year with the team. Rainey contributed to that 2019 championship run with a 3.91 ERA and a striking 34.6% strikeout rate over 48 1/3 relief innings, despite a concerning 17.8% walk rate.


Control issues have been a recurring problem for Rainey throughout his time in Washington, and his career was further disrupted by Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss most of the 2023 season. In 2024, Rainey posted a 4.76 ERA, a 19% strikeout rate, and a 12.6% walk rate over 51 innings, leading the Nationals to non-tender him, despite a projected $1.9 million arbitration salary.


Now at 32, Rainey will look to revive his career with the Pirates. He aims to regain the form and velocity that made him a valuable bullpen asset for the Nationals in 2020 and 2022.


Hunter Stratton's Return to the Pirates

Hunter Stratton was also non-tendered by the Pirates in November, but the expectation was that Pittsburgh would bring him back on a new minor league deal, just as they did last offseason. Stratton boasts a solid 3.26 ERA and an impressive 4.9% walk rate across 49 2/3 career Major League innings, all with the Pirates over the past two seasons.


While Stratton does not have high strikeout numbers, his ability to induce soft contact makes him an intriguing option for the Pirates’ bullpen. His return provides the team with additional depth and a reliable relief option as they prepare for the upcoming season.


These signings reflect the Pirates' strategy to strengthen their pitching staff with experienced arms and provide depth heading into spring training. Fans will be watching closely to see how Rainey and Stratton perform and if they can make an impact on the Pirates’ roster.