After being non-tendered by the Pittsburgh Pirates in November, right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton has rejoined the organization on a minor league deal, as indicated by his MLB.com profile. It remains uncertain whether Stratton will be ready to participate in Spring Training for the 2025 season.
This signing represents a low-risk move for the Pirates, a team currently seeking dependable bullpen depth for the upcoming season. Stratton demonstrated his potential in 2024 by performing effectively in several high-leverage situations. Despite his season being cut short by injuries, he managed to post an impressive 3.58 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP across 36 appearances.
Early in the 2024 campaign, manager Derek Shelton frequently relied on Stratton in critical moments, which might have contributed to his initial injury. Stratton logged 31.1 innings over 29 games between Opening Day and mid-June before being placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right triceps strain. Following rehabilitation, he returned to the team in late July. However, his season took a more significant turn on August 24 during a game against the Cincinnati Reds when he ruptured the patella tendon in his left knee while chasing a ball near the backstop. The bizarre play led to Stratton being carted off the field and ultimately undergoing surgery, with a recovery timeline of 7-10 months.
This injury means Stratton may not be fully ready to pitch again until as late as June 2025. Whether the Pirates will have a spot for him in their bullpen will depend on how well he performs following recovery and rehabilitation, as well as the offseason acquisitions the team makes to bolster its bullpen.
If Stratton can regain his form and continue to showcase his ability to efficiently work within the strike zone—evidenced by his career 4.9% walk rate—and induce soft contact from opposing hitters, he could become a valuable asset to the Pirates once again. Even if he begins the season in the minors, Stratton’s skill set and experience could earn him a call-up to support Pittsburgh’s big-league bullpen later in the season.
Hunter Stratton’s return offers hope that he can contribute meaningfully to the Pirates’ efforts in 2025. Fans and the organization alike will be watching closely to see how he progresses during his recovery. Welcome back, Hunter!
