Pirates reliever could return despite getting non-tendered this offseason

The Pittsburgh Pirates non-tendered a trio of players from the 2024 roster at last month's deadline, but one of them could very well be back with the team next season.

While outfielders Connor Joe and Bryan De La Cruz are almost certain to find new homes in free agency, Justin Guerriero of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that the Pirates hope to bring right-handed reliever Hunter Stratton back in 2025.

Stratton put together a solid 2024 season, posting a 3.58 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 37.2 innings pitched. Still, the year proved to be a challenging one, as he missed a month and a half across June and July with a triceps strain in his throwing arm.

Stratton pitched well in his return from the injury, not surrendering a single run in seven appearances after returning from the Injured List on July 30. However, his 2024 campaign came to an abrupt end less than a month later, when he ruptured his patella tendon while chasing down a ball behind home plate in a loss to the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park.

That injury landed Stratton on the 60-day Injured List, and he underwent surgery a few days later with an announced return timetable of 7-10 months. That would likely rule Stratton out of spring training, but put him back on the mound sometime between Opening Day and the month of June. He would almost certainly need a rehab stint in the minor leagues, but he could theoretically be back in a Major League bullpen before the 2025 All-Star break.

Pirates reportedly interested in bringing non-tendered reliever Hunter Stratton back in 2025

A 16th-round pick in the Pirates' 2017 draft class, Stratton made his MLB debut with the club six years later in 2023. He pitched to an impressive 2.25 ERA across 12 relief innings in eight appearances during his first mMajor League season in Pittsburgh before electing minor-league free agency last offseason.

Stratton ended up coming back to the Pirates on a minor-league free agent deal, and they selected his contract on March 28. Assuming there's mutual interest, it's very likely that he could do the same this season as he continues to rehab his injury in a farm system where he's already spent six full seasons.

If Stratton's rehab goes well (and if he can stay healthy afterward), he would make a promising addition to the Pirates' bullpen in 2025. They re-signed him in early December last year, so it's possible an announcement could be coming in the near future.

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