The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that right-handed pitcher Nick Burdi is out for the season after undergoing surgery today to relieve symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome. He is expected to be ready for full baseball activities by Spring Training.
Nick Burdi underwent surgery today by Dr. Robert Thompson aimed to relieve symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome. Nick is projected to participate in full baseball activities by Spring Training 2020.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 26, 2019
Burdi was a Rule 5 pick prior to the 2018 season, but he was in the middle of recovery from Tommy John surgery, so he didn’t join the Pirates until September. Rule 5 picks need 90 days on the active roster to stick with their new team. He picked up 30 days last year and another 26 this year on the active roster, which means he will need to stay with the Pirates for the first 34 days of the 2020 season before they could option him to the minors. Despite that lack of playing time, he will have two full years of big league service time/pay at the end of this season.
Burdi will be 27 years old next spring, with only 125 innings of pro ball in six seasons. He has a 10.80 ERA in ten innings and 13 appearances with the Pirates, though he has picked up 19 strikeouts already.
