Ben

Heller

Jefferies (elbow) and Heller (shoulder) are coming off injuries, while Mattson was a late-season call-up for the Pirates as emergency relief depth. The trio have the ability to elect free agency, but have been removed from Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster heading into the offseason.

Heller has been out since Aug. 30 with shoulder inflammation. He had an 11.25 ERA in eight relief appearances for the Pirates this season, taking his career ERA from 3.06 in 50 prior appearances to 4.65.

While the severity of Heller’s injury is unclear, it’s not exactly a good sign that he was placed on the 15-day injured list rather than the 10-day injured list. The 33-year-old right-hander had an 11.25 ERA in 12 innings for the Pirates this year.

Heller finds himself back with the Pirates as extra middle relief depth a couple months after being removed entirely from Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster following two relief outings earlier this year.

Heller passed through waivers unclaimed and will presumably stick around with Pittsburgh as emergency organizational relief depth. The 32-year-old righty has been torched for a staggering 12 runs (11 earned) over two innings of work in a pair of relief outings this season for the Pirates.

Heller’s two appearances for the Pirates saw him give up 11 earned runs in two innings. He’s spent most of his career in the minors or hurt, but as of a week ago, he had a 3.06 ERA in 50 career appearances as a major leaguer. He’s at 4.85 now.

Heller is up to provide a fresh arm for the Pirates. The 32-year-old will take Jose Hernandez’s spot on the active roster. Heller won’t pitch in a fantasy-relevant role, and hasn’t been effective enough to recommend him as an addition even if that was to change.

Once again, there are no major surprises among this batch of cuts for the Pirates. Plassmeyer pitched very well in Grapefruit League action — hurling 3 2/3 innings of shutout baseball while registering a 1.36 WHIP and a 4/1 K/BB ratio over 3 2/3 innings. Expect him to get an opportunity with the big league club at some point during the 2024 campaign.

The deal presumably also includes an invitation to spring training. Heller compiled a serviceable 3.86 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 16/11 K/BB ratio across 18 2/3 innings (19 appearances) this past season for the Braves. The 32-year-old journeyman reliever figures to have a real shot at cracking Pittsburgh’s season-opening roster.

Heller was sent to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday but instead decided to opt to become a free agent. Back in the majors for the first time since 2020, Heller pitched 18 2/3 innings for the Braves this year and registered a 3.86 ERA. He’ll try to find a major league contract somewhere else.