The Pittsburgh Pirates have claimed left-handed pitcher Joey Wentz off waivers from the Detroit Tigers. Once Wentz, 26, joins the club, a corresponding move must be made to make room on the 28-man roster. Wentz is out of options and can’t be sent to the minor leagues.
We have claimed LHP Joey Wentz off waivers from Detroit.
We will make a corresponding move on the 28-man active roster once Wentz joins the team later this week. Our 40-man roster is now full.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 3, 2024
Pirates Claim Left-Handed Pitcher Joey Wentz from Tigers
Wentz was once considered a hot prospect when he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round (40th overall) in the 2016 June Amateur Draft. The Braves traded him to the Tigers in 2019. His career was derailed by Tommy John surgery in 2020. Wentz finally made his major league debut with the Tigers in 2022. He had two rough starts in May and returned to the minors. Given a second chance in September, he was much better in five more starts. He finished 2022 with a 2-2 record, 3.03 ERA, and 1.102 WHIP.
However, the next two seasons weren’t as kind to Wentz. For his career, he’s 5-17 with a 5.81 ERA and a 1.554 WHIP in 70 games (26 starts). The Tigers used him strictly in relief in 2024, during which he posted a 5.37 ERA, although his 4.52 FIP indicates he may have had some bad luck or poor support behind him. Indeed, although opponents have slashed .273/.356/.418 against him, their xBA is a more palatable .256. Nevertheless, the Tigers designated him for assignment on August 30.
Good Luck a Second Time?
The Pirates had good luck in acquiring another former first-round pick named Joey back in April when they picked up Joey Bart from the San Francisco Giants. All he’s done is seize the starting catcher job before going on the injured list last month. As a former first-rounder who’s put up good minor-league numbers, Wentz fits the description of the type of player Pirates general manager Ben Cherington likes to take a low-risk chance on. Cherington also doesn’t mind looking at a lefty pitcher, given PNC Park’s friendly dimensions in left and center fields.
Wentz’s repertoire belies his six-foot-five, 220-pound frame. His four-seam fastball, his primary pitch, averages just 93.8 mph and has been used 36.7 percent of the time in 2024. He also mixes in an 86.1 mph cutter along with a changeup and curve.
The Last Word
The Pirates won’t need to make a corresponding move until Wentz reports, which is expected later in the week. How the Pirates plan to utilize Wentz is unknown. The guess here is that they add him to their bullpen, which has hit a rough patch in recent weeks. As long as we’re guessing, it seems this marks the end of Domingo Germán’s Pirates career after just six appearances. Added last month, Germán pitched well at times but doesn’t seem to have a role with Pittsburgh.
What the claim of Wentz tells us, whether they’ll admit it or not, is that the Pirates have finally given up on 2024. The only sensible reason for bringing in Wentz would be to see whether he can help in 2025 and beyond. It’s likely to inflame a fan base that frowns on these waiver claims – as if a Josh Hader can be picked up on waivers in September – but there’s no downside to seeing what Wentz can bring to the table.
Photo Credit: © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
