Don't forget these Pirates pitchers who could make huge impacts after 2025 returns

Tommy John surgery has become far too common across professional baseball. Every team probably has a player on the 40-man roster currently rehabbing from the surgery. Unfortunately, it can take over a year to recover from, even without setbacks. TJ surgery can cause a big hole in a team's roster, and the Pittsburgh Pirates learned this the hard way this past season. They had two pitchers who were essential to their 2023 pitching staff undergo Tommy John surgery before the 2024 season could even begin.

One of those pitchers was Dauri Moreta. Arguably, the most disappointing part of the 2024 Pirates was the way the bullpen developed, and Moreta undergoing surgery during spring training is one of the reasons why the unit fell flat. The Pirates picked up Moreta from the Cincinnati Reds during the 2022-2023 offseason in a one-for-one exchange for infielder Kevin Newman, and Moreta put up some excellent numbers in his breakout season.

Through 58 innings, the right-handed reliever worked to a 3.72 ERA, 2.93 FIP, and 1.09 WHIP. He struck out nearly a third of opponents with a 31.8% K%, while limiting home runs with an 0.62 HR/ rate. Moreta was also good at limiting quality contact, inducing an 86.7 MPH exit velocity and 8.1% barrel rate. Moreta occasionally struggled with control and walked 10% of batters he faced, but hitters were rarely able to square him up when he found the zone.

Moreta's story can be told through more than just percentages and rates, though. He became a fan favorite with his personality on the mound, earning the nickname "Big Bank," thanks in part to his entrance song, "Here Comes The Money. " He even walked off the mound showing off a $20 bill in his hand during his last game of the season. Some had Moreta taking a big step forward in 2024, but that ultimately would not come to pass. Moreta underwent surgery on March 21, ending his season before it even started and cutting into 2025, too.

Pirates' Dauri Moreta could return to boost bullpen in 2024

Moreta should return sometime close to the summer. For reference, Pirates pitching prospect Mike Burrows underwent surgery about a month after Moreta the previous season and was back on the mound in mid-June 2024. As long as things continue going to plan for Moreta and he doesn't suffer any setbacks or other injuries, he may be back on an MLB bump by early June.

Once he does return, Moreta will provide a huge midseason boost for the Pirates' pen. By the end of 2023, Moreta had proven he could handle higher leverage. Not having him as an option in the sixth through eighth innings was a substantial detriment to the Pirates' bullpen last season, especially when Colin Holderman and David Bednar completely fell apart.

Moreta isn't the only noteworthy arm who should return next season, though. Consider this your reminder not to forget about Johan Oviedo. The Pirates acquired Oviedo from the St. Louis Cardinals at the 2022 trade deadline in exchange for veteran left-handed starter Jose Quintana. Oviedo had bounced around between the bullpen, rotation, and minor leagues for the Cards for the first few years of his Major League career, but he finally got a chance to prove himself in 2023.

Oviedo started 32 games and pitched 177.2 innings that season to the tune of a 4.21 ERA, 4.49 FIP, and 1.37 WHIP. He only struck out 20.2% of the batters he faced with a 10.6% walk rate, but he kept his HR/9 rate under 1.00 at 0.96. Oviedo was about average regarding limiting quality contact with an 88.5 MPH exit velocity and 7.6% barrel rate, ranking in the 58th and 54th percentile of each stat, respectively. 

Oviedo was inconsistent throughout the year. 16 of his 32 starts saw him pitch at least six innings and allow two or fewer earned runs, but 10 more also saw him go five or fewer frames and allow four or more earned runs. Given it was only Oviedo's age-25 season and his first gig as a full-time MLB starter, though, nothing was out of the ordinary for a young pitcher still finding his footing. 

Given Oviedo's season, many were hoping he could become an anchor in the Pirates' rotation and take a step forward. Those hopes, unfortunately, came to a screeching halt in late November whenOviedo underwent the dreaded elbow procedure. This was a massive blow to the Pirates' starting rotation at the time, as their depth wasn't nearly as good in December of 2023 as it is now. Luckily, the Pirates were able to navigate the 2024 season without Oviedo in the rotation much better than they were without Moreta in the bullpen. Regardless, his absence was felt.

Oviedo is on track to return by spring training. His role could be a lot less defined than Moreta's upon his return. Given the depth the Pirates have and Oviedo's uncertain return from surgery, he isn't a prime candidate to make the Bucs' Opening Day 2025 rotation. He may best fit in a long-reliever/spot-starter role, akin to what Luis Ortiz served as during the first half of this past season.

Losing both Oviedo and Moreta before the 2024 season began represented huge blows to the Pirates' pitching staff. They were both key pieces of their 2023 staff, and heading into last offseason, were considered two of their better pitchers. But once both are back at full strength in 2025, the Pirates' pitching core will get a massive boost.