Pittsburgh Pirates Designate Wil Crowe For Assignment

Wil Crowe, who has been on the injured list since April, has been desiganted for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates

Following Wednesday's victory over the Cleveland Guardians the Pittsburgh Pirates made an unforseen roster move. The team desiganted right-handed pitcher Wil Crowe, who had been on the 60-day injured list since April, for assignment.

Prior to hitting the injured list Crowe owned a 4.66 ERA and 5.88 FIP in 9.2 innings pitched. He had allowed nine hits, walked nine batters, struck out nine, hit a batter, and allowed a home run while throwing two wild pitches.

Crowe came to the Pirates on Christmas Eve 2020 as part of the Josh Bell trade, a trade that has been one of the absolute worst of the Ben Cherington Era. In 210.2 career innings pitched, Crowe owns a 5.30 ERA and a 5.45 FIP. He's walked 11.8% of opposing batters while striking out 20.7%.

The Crowe DFA comes as a bit of a surprise, largely due to the timing of it. Due to being on the 60-day IL, Crowe was not occupying a 40-man roster spot. Crowe had started a rehab assignment, posting a 1.59 ERA in 5.2 innings pitched between Low-A and Triple-A.

Additionally, Crowe still had a minor league option left. So, the Pirates could have activated Crowe off the injured list and optioned him to Triple-A had they wish to do so.

The Pirates now have a week to either trade Crowe or for him to clear waivers. Due to still be just shy of three years of major league service and never having been outrighted before in his career, if Crowe does clear waivers he would not be able to elect free agency.