Pittsburgh Pirates: Projecting Bullpen Roles for the Start of 2024

Sep 2, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA;  Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (51) reacts
Sep 2, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (51) reacts / Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
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Long relief - lefty Bailey Falter

You could potentially see Roansy Contreras in this role as well. However, as things currently stand it's more likely the Pirates give Contreras another chance to work out of the starting rotation when the season begins.

Like Contreras, Bailey Falter is also out of minor league options. This could work in his favor of cracking the team's Opening Day rotation. Combine that with the team's need to figure out who their long reliever would be and it could land on Falter.

Between the Phillies and Pirates last season, the lefty posted a 5.36 ERA, 5.25 FIP, 5.8% walk rate, 17.3% strikeout rate, and allowed 17 home runs (1.90 HR/9) in 80.2 innings. He pitched in 18 games, with 14 of them being starts.

Falter pitched much better out of the bullpen last season. In 17.2 relief innings, he posted a 1.02 ERA, while limiting opponents to a .197 batting average to go with a 4.3% walk rate and a 21.6% strikeout rate.