According to Jon Heyman, the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to sign 31-year-old right-handed pitcher Justin Masterson to a minor league deal. He pitched last season for the Boston Red Sox, where he made nine starts and nine relief appearances, posting a 5.61 ERA in 59.1 innings.
Justin Masterson agrees to minors deal with pirates
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 14, 2016
We have heard that the Pirates were connected to Masterson multiple times this off-season, so it looks like they finally were able to agree on a suitable deal. Masterson was once a top pitcher with the Cleveland Indians not that long ago. In 2014, he made 25 starts and threw 128.2 innings, with a 5.88 ERA and 116 strikeouts, so he has had two straight down seasons. Before that he had a 3.45 ERA in 2013 and averaged over 200 innings per season from 2011-13.
It’s a minor league deal, so there is no harm adding him to see if they can help him to get back where has was pre-2014. The Pirates are short on early season starter depth due to all of the prospects at Indianapolis, so there is a chance Masterson could see some time in that role with the Pirates. It will depend on how long it takes him to get stretched out, and of course, how well he pitches. It’s also possible he could provide relief depth.
UPDATE 6:05 PM: The Pirates announced the deal as official.
The #Pirates have agreed to terms with RHP Justin Masterson on a minor league contract.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 14, 2016