Pirates Designate Brett De Geus, Release Yerry Rodriguez

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made significant roster moves following the signing of free agent left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Pirates designated right-handed pitcher Brett De Geus for assignment. De Geus, who has been designated for assignment multiple times in his career, struggled in 2024 with a 7.15 ERA over 11.1 innings pitched across three teams. Despite his challenges, De Geus has shown potential with a sinking fastball averaging 96.4 mph, making him a candidate for another team to claim him off waivers.
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In addition to De Geus, the Pirates also released right-handed pitcher Yerry Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who signed a minor league contract with the Pirates in November, had an 8.17 ERA over 36.1 innings in the majors since 2022. Control issues have plagued Rodriguez throughout his career, limiting his effectiveness at the MLB level. With these moves, the Pirates aim to optimize their roster and provide opportunities for other players to step up during Spring Training.