Pirates Claim Pitcher Darnell off Waivers from Rockies
the Pittsburgh pirates have claimed right-handed pitcher Ashton Darnell off waivers from the Colorado Rockies, the team announced Tuesday. The move adds depth to the Pirates’ pitching staff as they prepare for the upcoming season.
darnell, 52, last pitched for the Rockies on August 21 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, exiting the game after being struck by a line drive off the hip from Dodgers outfielder Alex Call. The injury required surgery to repair a torn labrum in September,wiht a projected recovery time of eight months,sidelining him until approximately june 2026.Despite the lengthy recovery, the pirates saw value in claiming the veteran arm.
The 29-year-old (turning 29 next June) possesses a three-pitch mix consisting of a four-seam fastball (52.7% usage), a splitter (26.9%), and a slider (20.9%). His fastball averages 93.7 mph and held opposing hitters to a .167 batting average. While batters had more success against his offspeed offerings, those pitches generated higher whiff rates – 33.3% on the slider and 16.7% on the splitter, compared to 11.6% for the fastball.
Prior to the injury, Darnell showed promise as a potential bullpen asset. The Pirates placed him on the 15-day injured list with left hip inflammation before transferring him to the 60-day IL.The claim provides the Pirates with a potential long-term bullpen option, should they encounter injuries or require additional pitching depth during the season.
