Josh

Fleming

Fleming pitched to a 4.02 ERA in 25 appearances (three starts) for the Pirates in 2024 before being designated for assignment. He signed a minor league deal with the Mariners and registered a 4.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 13/5 K/BB ratio in 16 innings for Triple-A Tacoma. The Mariners obviously saw enough to bring him back on another minor league deal where he will likely serve as organization depth.

Fleming heads to the Pacific Northwest as emergency pitching depth for Seattle over the final few weeks of the year. The soft-tossing 28-year-old southpaw went unclaimed on waivers last week after being removed from Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster after 25 appearances (three starts) this season in the big leagues.

Fleming went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment last Friday and wound up electing free agency instead of accepting an outright minor league assignment. The 28-year-old southpaw made 25 appearances (three starts) this season for the Pirates.

Fleming had a 4.02 ERA in 25 appearances (three starts) for the Pirates this year. He might have some appeal to another team given his ability to throw multiple innings at a time. Fleming is off the Pirates 40-man roster and Pittsburgh has a week to either trade him or place him on waivers.

Fleming has worked in a multi-inning role for the most part while with the Pirates, but hasn’t gone more than four innings in any of his outings. That makes him a risky proposition as a streamer, and the risk doesn’t outweigh the reward.

The Pirates could have used an opener today to give Fleming a shot at a win, but they decided not to. The victory instead went to Carmen Mlodzinski, who entered with a 1-0 lead after four and worked two hitless frames. Fleming came into the day with a 5.68 ERA in one start and 16 relief appearances for the Pirates. He’s not assured additional starts.

Fleming was recalled from Triple-A Friday, and after going unused in the first two games, he’ll get the nod against Dakota Hudson and the Rockies. The 28-year-old has not been effective thus far in 2024 with a 5.68 ERA and 1.68 WHIP over 19 innings, and he’s not a recommended streamer for this chance.

He’ll take the place of the injured Hunter Stratton (shoulder) in the Pirates’ bullpen. Fleming has already made 17 appearances with the big league club this season, posting an underwhelming 5.68 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and a 13/9 K/BB ratio across 19 innings. Niko Goodrum was designated for assignment in a corresponding move to free up a spot on the team’s 40-man roster.

The 28-year-old southpaw passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment earlier in the week. Fleming posted a 5.68 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and a 13/9 K/BB ratio over 19 innings in 17 appearances for the Bucs. He’ll continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the Pirates at the Triple-A level.

Fleming has been removed from Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster after struggling to an inflated 5.68 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 13/9 K/BB ratio across 19 innings (17 appearances, one start). The soft-tossing 27-year-old lefty figures to pass through waivers unclaimed, but it’s always possible he generates some interest.