Pirates News: Former pitcher returns to NL Central, Jared Jones update, Alexander Canario

Former Pittsburgh bullpen piece Caleb Ferguson is headed back to the National League Central — but not with the Pirates.

The left-handed reliever has agreed to a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds, pending a physical, as Cincinnati adds a veteran southpaw to its 2026 relief corps. Ferguson, who pitched for Pittsburgh in early 2025 on a one-year contract before being traded to the Seattle Mariners, posted a 3.58 ERA over 65 1/3 innings last season split between the two clubs.

For the Pirates, Ferguson’s exit caps a whirlwind year that saw him serve in multiple bullpen roles — from lefty specialist to high-leverage arm — before moving on at the trade deadline.

His departure severely depleted Pittsburgh's lefty relief depth, and replenishing that depth became a top priority at the Winter Meetings when the Pirates signed Gregory Soto to a one-year deal in free agency.

Pirates News: Jared Jones takes important step in recovery from elbow surgery

Pirates right-hander Jared Jones, who missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing internal brace surgery on his throwing elbow, took a major step toward his return to the mound last week.

Jones posted a video to his Instagram story on Dec. 9 that showed him completing his first flat ground pitching session since his May 21 procedure. The development marks a major step toward his eventual return to pitching off of an elevated mound, which keeps him on track for his estimated recovery timeline of March-May 2026.

Even if he starts out of the bullpen when he returns, Jones' 2024 campaign gives plenty of reason for optimism about his impact as a starter in 2026. He ended his first full season in Pittsburgh with a 6-8 record in 22 starts, posting a 4.14 ERA in 121 2/3 innings pitched,.

Pirates News: Alexander Canario drawing interest from teams in Japan

Free-agent outfielder Alexander Canario, who was designated for assignment and non-tendered by the Pirates to clear space on their 40-man roster earlier this offseason, is reportedly drawing interest from teams overseas.

While Canario hasn’t drawn strong MLB suitors yet, reports are surfacing that he’s in the mix for a potential move to Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in 2026, with at least one Pacific League club said to be finalizing a deal in excess of $1 million.

For the Pirates, Canario’s DFA marked the end of a brief and streaky big-league tenure that began with the Chicago Cubs and included stops with the New York Mets before he landed in Pittsburgh. Canario, who slashed a 218/.274/.338 line over 234 plate appearances in 2025, may soon join the growing list of former MLB players using NPB as a springboard back to the majors or a fresh chapter in Japan’s top league.