Pirates News: Infielder DFA'd, Guardians sign familiar face, spring training non-roster invitees

The Pirates officially announced the signing of Tim Mayza, which boosts their major league bullpen. Adding him to Pittsburgh's roster put them at 41 on the 40-man roster, which led to them designate Alika Williams for assignment.

The defense-first shortstop was far below average at the plate, while providing value off the bench with his glove. He was acquired back in 2023 from the Rays in exchange for Robert Stephenson, and was instantly a guy who raked in Triple-A, but struggled to do anything in Pittsburgh.

Last season, Williams posted a wRC+ of 43 with an OPS of .541 and drove in five runs. Defensively at shortstop, he saved two defensive runs in 2023, but none in 2024. This is not a big loss to the Pirates, especially since they just brought in Adam Frazier. They easily have enough guys up the middle on the roster that moving on from Williams makes sense. There is a chance he clears waivers and gets outrighted to Triple-A, but that won't be discovered for a few more days.

Former Pirates right-hander Vince Velasquez signed a minor-league deal with the Guardians.

Back in 2023, Vince Velasquez was brought in to fill out the rotation in a year where Mitch Keller and Rich Hill were their top two starters. Keller really broke out, which earned him an extension, but that was still quite a poor rotation to open a season where they were expected to take a leap. Nonetheless, one of their one-year "prove it" players in Velasquez broke out, thanks to Oscar Marin. Unfortunately, Velasquez's season ended in the middle of the first half with an injured elbow.

Before getting shut down that season, Velasquez posted an ERA of 3.86 with a FIP of 3.87 across 37.1 innings and struck out 37 batters. Opponents hit .238 against him, and he walked hitters at a 8.6% clip to generate a WHIP of 1.31. He was really looking like a sneaky solid pickup, but the injury killed his season - and the Pirates' depth in the rotation.

Pirates announce 14 more non-roster invitees to spring training, including their 2024 first-rounder Konnor Griffin.

A handful of these players invited were minor-league free agents, but the majority represent a selection of the Pirates' top prospects. Seeing guys like Bubba Chandler and Thomas Harrington was expected, given that there is a strong chance they make an impact on the Pirates pitching staff in 2025. One pleasant surprise was seeing Konnor Griffin make the list, as he has not yet gotten to play in a professional game in Pittsburgh's organization.

Griffin is a highly anticipated prospect, fresh out of high school. His toolset is excellent, and if the Pirates develop him right, he could be the next best thing to come out of the Pirates farm system. He is going to have all eyes on him this spring.