Pittsburgh Pirates: Examining How the Jarlín García Injury Impacts the Roster

Will the Pirates focus on adding another lefty?

First and foremost the Pittsburgh Pirates must decide if they are going to focus on having another lefty take García's spot. For multiple reasons, it would make sense for this to be the route that the team goes.

Right now there is only one lefty projected to be in the Opening Day bullpen - Jose Hernandez. Hernandez and starting pitcher Rich Hill are the only other left-handed pitchers on the 40-man roster other than García.

Teams always want multiple left-handed pitchers in their bullpen. This is one reason they would likely look to give García's spot to another lefty. Additionally, Hernandez is a Rule 5 Draft addition with zero MLB experience. Rolling with only one lefty reliever is dangerous enough, it becomes even more dangerous when that lone lefty has never pitched in the majors.

If they go with another lefty, who will it be?

If García's spot goes to another lefty then veteran Caleb Smith would appear to be in a good spot. The 31-year-old Smith is coming off a season in which he posted a 4.11 ERA, 5.57 FIP, 12.9% walk rate, and a 21.5% strikeout rate in 70 innings pitched with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Smith has pitched 447 MLB innings over six seasons. He owns a 4.55 ERA, 5.04 FIP, 11.3% walk rate, and a 24.9% strikeout rate in these 447 innings, which have come in 147 career games (64 starts). The past two seasons have seen Smith transition to a full-time bullpen role, which is a move that has been successful for him. In 2.2 innings pitched this spring Smith has allowed a solo home run, walked a batter and struck out a pair.

Even before García's injury Smith likely had a legitimate shot at cracking the team's Opening Day roster. García's injury just increases these odds significantly. Right now, Smith's odds of heading north with the club are likely better than 50%.

The team could also turn to another left-handed non-roster invitee to camp. This group incudes Rob Zastryzny, Daniel Zamora, and Angel Perdomo. Of this trio, Perdomo has the best stuff but Zastryzny's could be intriguing with his slider as well.

Who else could be in the mix?

If the Pittsburgh Pirates do not go with another lefty then Yerry De Los Santos could be in a position to benefit. De Los Santos pitched 25.2 MLB innings last season, posting a 4.91 ERA and striking out 26 batters.

Most of the damage done against De Los Santos came with him pitching injured in his final outing of the season before landing on the IL. Looked at as a likely big piece of the Pirate bullpen long-term, having minor league options remaining may cost De Los Santos an Opening Day roster spot. However, the García injury could now open up a roster spot for De Los Santos, who might have earned one regardless.

Fellow righty Yohan Ramirez could be in a similar boat to De Los Santos. Possibly on the outside looking in on Opening Day due to having minor league options remaining, but there could now be an open spot for Ramirez.

The Pirates acquired Ramirez in a trade last June. With the Bucs, he posted a 3.67 ERA, 3.82 FIP, 18.1% strikeout rate, and allowed just one home run in 27 innings pitched. With a plus slider and a good fastball Ramirez could be a solid MLB reliever. Even if he does not start the season in the majors, he should join the team at some point this season.

It's unlikely, but top relief pitching prospect Colin Selby and Dauri Moreta, who was acquired in the Kevin Newman trade, could be given an opportunity to crack the Opening Day roster as well. However, both are likely ticketed for Triple-A to start the season. But, like Ramirez, both should join the MLB bullpen at some point this season.