The Pirates have signed right-handed pitcher Luis Cessa to a minor league deal, as first reported by Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Cessa was released by the Royals on June 1.
This marks the second consecutive day the Pirates have acquired a non-roster rotation pitcher, following their addition of Jake Woodford on a minor league deal after his outright release by the White Sox.
Unlike Woodford, Cessa has not played in the majors in 2024, although he performed well in Triple-A, posting a 3.89 ERA over 39 1/3 innings for the Royals’ top farm team in Omaha. In his 11 appearances (10 starts), Cessa had a 16.8% strikeout rate and a 9.2% walk rate.
Cessa likely wouldn’t have broken into the Royals’ rotation regardless of his performance, given the solid outings by Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Alec Marsh, and Brady Singer. Wacha’s subsequent move to the injured list led to Daniel Lynch IV taking his rotation spot. Although Cessa could have possibly earned a bullpen role, his lack of swing-and-miss stuff made him a less attractive option for late-inning relief.
The 32-year-old had been an effective long reliever in the past, with a 3.39 ERA over 112 appearances with the Yankees and Reds from 2019-21. However, he struggled with a 4.57 ERA in 80 2/3 innings in 2022 and had a particularly tough season last year, allowing 26 runs in as many innings over seven appearances (six starts) for Cincinnati. Following that, his minor league stints with the Rockies and Nationals resulted in ERAs above 8.00, preventing a major league return.
Cessa and Woodford join non-roster rotation options Domingo Germán, Josh Fleming, and Michael Plassmeyer in Indianapolis, with Braxton Ashcraft and Daulton Jefferies as optional assignments on the 40-man roster.
The Pirates’ current rotation includes Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Mitch Keller, and Bailey Falter, with Quinn Priester on the injured list. Pittsburgh will need a fifth starter or a bullpen game for this weekend’s series in Colorado.
