Pirates News: Former pitcher signs with Padres, former top prospect DFA'd, World Baseball Classic

The San Diego Padres have signed left-hander Marco Gonzales to a minor league deal with a non-roster invite to spring training, per Jon Heyman, a move that closes the book on a brief and injury-plagued chapter from his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Gonzales, 34 next month, made just seven starts for the Pirates in 2024 after being acquired in a series of trades, as recurring forearm issues ultimately led to flexor tendon surgery and a lost 2025 season.

Pittsburgh declined Gonzales' $15 million club option last offseason — an easy call given the medical outlook — and he didn’t pitch in any official capacity last year. Now, he’ll try to resurrect his career in San Diego, while the Pirates continue to bet on younger, healthier rotation depth heading into 2026.

Pirates News: Former top prospect Tsung-Che Cheng claimed, then DFA'd by Nationals

Former Pirates top prospect Tsung-Che Cheng is back in roster limbo. Again.

The Washington Nationals designated Cheng for assignment Friday, just two days after claiming him off waivers from the New York Mets. Cheng has now passed through four organizations this offseason and could be on the move once again as he heads back to waivers.

From a Pirates lens, the outcome tracks. The 24-year-old infielder hit just .209/.307/.271 at Triple-A Indianapolis last season in the Pittsburgh Pirates system and went hitless in a brief seven-plate-appearance MLB cameo. Cheng still offers a respectable floor as a glove-first, speed-and-defense infielder — with experience across the left side and consistent 20-steal seasons in the minors — but the bat hasn’t kept pace at the upper levels.

With one option remaining but limited offensive upside, Cheng profiles more as depth than a true 40-man fixture. The Nationals are expected to place him back on waivers soon, where another short-term landing spot remains possible.

Pirates News: Antwone Kelly, Gregory Soto to join Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz at World Baseball Classic

The Pirates will have extra international representation this spring, as Antwone Kelly and Gregory Soto are set to compete in the 2026 World Baseball Classic alongside Paul Skenes (USA) and Oneil Cruz (Dominican Republic).

Kelly announced he will pitch for Team Kingdom of the Netherlands, given his roots in Aruba. Now 22, the right-hander previously appeared in the 2023 WBC at just 19 years old, tossing a scoreless inning in pool play. Ranked as one of the Pirates’ top pitching prospects and protected on the 40-man roster, Kelly’s return to the WBC stage highlights how close he is to Pittsburgh’s long-term plans.

Soto, meanwhile, will suit up for the Dominican Republic after signing a one-year deal with the Pirates this winter. The 30-year-old lefty gives Pittsburgh a much-needed leverage arm and joins Cruz on a DR roster that will once again be loaded with star power. While Soto’s ERA has hovered above 4.00 in recent seasons, his swing-and-miss and contact-suppression metrics suggest there’s more upside in his profile.

With Skenes headlining Team USA, Cruz anchoring the Dominican lineup, and Kelly and Soto adding depth on the international stage, the Pirates will be well represented when the World Baseball Classic runs from March 5–17 — just as Spring Training gets underway back in Bradenton.