The Pirates have signed right fielders Tanner Rainey again Hunter Stratton in minor deals, as reported respectively by Just Baseball’s Aram Leighton (X link) and Stratton’s MLB.com profile page. Rainey’s contract includes an invitation to the Pirates’ major league camp, and it is assumed that Stratton’s contract includes an invitation, although Stratton’s uncertain health status after knee surgery may limit his participation in Spring Training.
Rainey headed to Pittsburgh after a six-year run with the Nationals, highlighted by a World Series ring in his first year with the team. Rainey posted a 3.91 ERA and 34.6% in 48 1/3 relief innings against that team in 2019, but he also had a terrible 17.8% walk rate. These control issues plagued Rainey for much of his time in Washington, and he missed nearly the entire 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
After Rainey posted a 4.76 ERA, 19% strikeout rate, and 12.6% walk rate over 51 innings in 2024, the Nationals surprisingly decided not to offer the righty, even though Rainey was slated for a limited salary. of $1.9MM. Now entering his age-32 season, Rainey will look to rebuild in Bucs spring camp, and hopefully regain the form and speed that made him so valuable to the Nats in 2020 and 2022.
Stratton was also not waived by the Pirates in November, but it was expected that Pittsburgh (as they did last season) would re-sign the right to a new major league deal. Stratton has an impressive 3.26 ERA and 4.9% walk rate through 49 2/3 Major League innings, all with Pittsburgh over the past two seasons. Despite lacking a large number of strikeouts, Stratton’s ability to get soft contact has made him an exciting prospect out of the Pirates’ bullpen.
Unfortunately for Stratton, his 2024 season was cut short by a minor injury on August 24 that left him with a ruptured patellar tendon. Stratton was behind home plate at PNC Park chasing a loose ball when he tripped over a stone wall, causing the injury and putting his career on hold for 7-10 months. This fluid timeline means Stratton will be back anywhere from Opening Day to the end of June, but the minor league contract gives him plenty of time to fully adjust during Spring Training or the Pirates’ roster.
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