Pirates Bullpen Arm Starts Rehab Assignment
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates saw one of their important relievers make their return to the mound.
Left-handed pitcher Ryan Borucki started his rehab assignment with Single-A Bradenton on July 8. He also started the game, throwing a scoreless inning with a strikeout against the St. Lucie Mets, the Single-A affiliate of the New York Mets.
Borucki tosses a scoreless inning and a strikeout here in the top of the first. #ItAllBeginsInBradenton⚾️🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/FpZZnzMavD
— Bradenton Marauders (@The_Marauders) July 8, 2025
Borucki struggled in his most recent appearance out of the bullpen in the series opener vs. the Texas Rangers at PNC Park on June 20.
He allowed a hit, two walks and an earned run, getting just one out and throwing seven strikes on 16 pitches.
Borucki left with Pirates assistant athletic trainer Tony Leo in the middle of the inning, with fellow left-handed pitcher Caleb Ferguson coming in for him.
The Pirates placed Borucki on the 15-day injured list on June 21 with low back inflammation and brought up right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton in replacement.
Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said in his most recent injury report on July 2 that Borucki was making 'nice progress in his rehab' and that they were 'encouraged.'
Borucki has made 29 relief appearances for the Pirates this season, with 1-3 record, a 5.26 ERA over 25.2 innings pitched, 22 strikeouts to 11 walks, a .228 opposing batting average and a 1.25 WHIP.
He had a good start to this season, with a 2.55 ERA over 18 appearances and 17.2 innings pitched through May 13, with 15 strikeouts to five walks, a .167 opposing batting average and a 0.85 WHP.
Borucki has pitched his worst since then, with an 11.25 ERA over his last 11 appearances, with 10 earned runs over 8.0 innings pitched.
He made the Opening Day roster, which originally had four left-handed pitchers, but now only has Ferguson as it's sole southpaw.
Tim Mayza is currently on the 60-day injured list with a left shoulder injury and is currently working back from that, last pitching on April 18.
Joey Wentz spent most of the season with the Pirates before they designated him for assignment on June 7, as they made a number of roster moves. The Twins would claim Wentz off waivers on June 11.
The Pirates currently have seven pitchers in the bullpen. This includes Braxton Ashcraft, David Bednar, Isaac Mattson, Carmen Mlodzinski and Dennis Santana, plus two left-handed pitchers in Ferguson and Génesis Cabrera, who they signed on a major league deal on June 26.
Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.