Mike

Burrows

Burrows is coming up as bullpen depth over the last two days of the season. He missed all of 2023 with Tommy John surgery and will be making his major league debut if he gets into a game.

Burrows is still in the process of his recovery from Tommy John surgery, so he’ll continue to get work in on the minor league side of things. Sadzeck and Sullivan will begin the season as extra bullpen depth for the Pirates at the Triple-A level, but there’s a decent chance that they’ll each get an opportunity with the Pirates at some point during the season.

Burrows will likely be sidelined until around midseason next year. It’s too bad, as the 23-year-old was previously on track to make his season debut at some point this season.

Not good. Pirates GM Ben Cherington, speaking on 937 the Fan on Sunday, said that the elbow “felt stable” after the game, and the team will better understand what happened later in the week. Burrows posted a 4.01 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 111/31 K/BB ratio across 94 1/3 innings between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis in 2022 and was poised to make his major league debut sometime time year. Stay tuned.

The 23-year-old hurler fared decently in his limited Grapefruit League action, compiling a 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and four strikeouts over his five innings of work. He’ll start the year in the rotation at Triple-A Indianapolis and should get a look with the big league club whenever injuries strike or they need a spot starter.

The move protects the 23-year-old hurler from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Burrows -- an 11th round selection from the 2018 draft -- posted a 4.01 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 111/31 K/BB ratio across 94 1/3 innings between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis in 2022. Given the current state of the Pirates pitching staff, Burrows should make his big league debut at some point during the 2023 season.

It’s a deserved promotion, as Burrows posted a 2.94 ERA and 69/19 K/BB ratio over 12 starts and 52 innings. The right-hander was an 11th round pick in 2018, and now possesses plus offerings in his fastball and curve. He’s a step away from the majors now, and he has a chance to be a fantasy relevant option in the coming years.